The New York State My Brother's Keeper Community Network includes 54 member communities that have joined the growing initiative to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color.  To join the NYS MBK Community Network, the school superintendent and local government official must sign a joint letter to the Commissioner of Education indicating their support of and commitemnet to meeting the six (6) MBK National Milestones and the six (6) New York State MBK Goals. Upon becoming a member of the statewide network, a community gains the support of NYSED's Office of Access, Equity, and Community Engagement Services to help build a community initiative and develop a local MBK action plan.  

National MBK Milestones:

1. Getting a Heathy Start and Entering School Ready to Learn: All children should have a healthy start and enter school ready - cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally.

2. Reading at Grade Level by Third Grade.  All children should be reading at grade level by age 8 - the age at which reading to learn becomes essential. 

3. Graduating from High School Ready for College and Career: All youth should receive a quality high school education and graduate with the skills and tools needed to advance to postsecondary education or training. 

4. Completing Postsecondary Education or Training: Every American should have the option to attend postsecondary education and receive the education and training needed for the quality jobs of today and tomorrow.

5. Successfully Entering the Workforce: Anyone who wants a job should be able to get a job that allows them to support themselves and their families. 

6. Keeping Kids on Track and Giving Them Second Chances: All youth and young adults should be safe form violent crime; and individuals who are confined should receive the education, training, and treatment they need for a second chance.

New York State MBK Priorities

1. Ensuring equitable access to high-quality schools and programs;

2. Expanding prevention, early warning, and intervention services;

3. Using differentiated approaches based on need and culture;

4. Responding to structural and institutional racism;

5. Making comprehensive and coordinated support services widely available; and

6. Engaging families and communities in a trusted and respectful way.

Our current milestone

Reading at Grade Level by Third Grade.  All children should be reading at grade level by age 8 - the age at which reading to learn becomes essential. 

We have chosen to target milestone 2 as our initial goal as an MBK Community.  

Plan: 

Partner with local libraries

During the summer of 2025, we partnered with the Akwesasne Library to host Shelby Bero, a MCSD literacy teacher, who offered a weekly literacy session for all interested students.  Those students were able to participate in the Library's reading challenge.  For the students who consistently participated in a weekly basis, we found that there was no regression that is normally seen after summer break. 

We are currently working  with one of our MBK Fellows to develop a reading mentor program for our elementary students.  

Community Partners

Akwesasne Cultural Center Library

Seven Dancers Coalition (Saplings to Cedar Program)

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Education Division

North Country Science & Technology Entry Program at SUNY Potsdam

Massena Public Library

More to come....

If your organization is interested in supporting our MBK initiative and being a community partner, please fill out this form.