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My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Announced

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In 2014, President Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, challenging local governments, philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, educators and individuals to address the significant challenges that young boys and men of color continue to face today. To help continue this important national conversation, the DDCE has partnered with the city of Austin and Travis County on a MBK task force. The task force is co-chaired by Dr. Gregory Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement, and Mark Madrid, CEO for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Below are just a few highlights from two Austin MBK city-wide conversation co-hosted by the DDCE.

SXSWedu “My Brother’s Keeper” Community Dialogue—March 10, 2015

UT Austin alumnus Johnny Hill, shared how he defeated the odds by graduating from a top-tier university after serving time in prison. He plans to earn a Ph.D., a feat that he hopes to prove is possible to other young men of color who are at risk of falling into the school-to-prison pipeline.
UT Austin alumnus Johnny Hill, shared how he defeated the odds by graduating from a top-tier university after serving time in prison. He plans to earn a Ph.D., a feat that he hopes to prove is possible to other young men of color who are at risk of falling into the school-to-prison pipeline.

Photos by Brian Birzer

Dr. Leonard Moore, the senior associate vice president at DDCE, shared some solutions for preventing students from falling into the school-to-prison pipeline.
Dr. Leonard Moore, the senior associate vice president at DDCE, shared some solutions for preventing students from falling into the school-to-prison pipeline.

MBK Austin Task Force Press Conference—Aug. 17, 2015

AISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz; UT Austin Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Dr. Gregory Vincent; Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt; Austin Mayor Steve Adler; Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Madrid; and Austin Community College President Richard Rhodes gathered at the press conference announcing the launch of the MBK Austin task force.
AISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz; UT Austin Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Dr. Gregory Vincent; Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt; Austin Mayor Steve Adler; Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Madrid; and Austin Community College President Richard Rhodes gathered at the press conference announcing the launch of the MBK Austin task force.