Austin-area education and community leaders will assemble for a dialogue about the City of Austin’s efforts in spearheading President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative on Thursday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott Austin, Salon D. This event is one of many public forums the DDCE has coordinated since it launched the Longhorn Campaign for Men of Color in fall 2014.

When President Obama launched the national My Brother’s Keeper initiative three years ago, he challenged local governments, philanthropists, non-profit leaders, educators and individuals to address the significant challenges that young men of color face. This year’s community dialogue will address Austin’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, highlighting accomplishments that were made within the past two years since aligning efforts with UT’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, nonprofits, schools, businesses and community leaders.

Speakers will share insight into the many factors that contribute to the achievement gap faced by young men of color and share some potential solutions for eliminating health and education barriers. This year, the conversation will focus on two barriers that are keeping young men of color from achieving personal and academic success: the school-to-prison pipeline and limited access to health and fitness programs.

Speakers include:

•  Keynote: Cory Redding, NFL veteran and former Longhorn football standout
• The Honorable Steve Adler, City of Austin Mayor
• Susan Dawson, president and executive director, E3 Alliance
• The Honorable Sarah Eckhardt, Travis County Judge
• Mark Madrid, president and CEO, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, vice president of diversity and community engagement, UT Austin

The event is invite only. Media personnel are welcome to attend. Use #MBKAustin #SXSWMBK to participate in the online conversation. Go here to read about last year’s SXSWedu event.

Photo by Brian Birzer Photography