MY BROTHER'S KEEPER
Georgia State University’s African American Male Initiative
In 2014, President Barack Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and remove the barriers to goal attainment. When discussing men of color and education, oftentimes, the topic is discussed using a deficit framework detailing a lack of access to education, lack of motivation, and the school-to-prison pipeline. However, there is an abundance of research that refutes the deficit narrative and disrupts the salient discourse focusing on the underachievement of Black men. Specifically, Black male college students have been and are successful in academic domains. The issue is not an achievement gap, yet, as President Obama stated, an opportunity and resource gap. Support systems must be developed to nurture the intelligence, creativity, resilience, and evolution of Black male college students.
A unique partnership between the Honors College and the Office of Black Student Achievement was created to address these gaps. Honoring the mission and vision of President Obama, Georgia State adopted the name My Brother’s Keeper for Georgia State’s African American Male Initiative. The goal of My Brother’s Keeper or MBK GSU is to nurture a community focused on the personal, educational, and professional needs and development of Black males. MBK GSU aims to accomplish these goals through one-on-one and group mentorship, connecting students to research, scholarships, and job opportunities, introducing students to a network of community partners, and, most importantly, connecting students to one another.
Bridging the Gap
In 2014, President Barack Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and remove the barriers to goal attainment. When discussing men of color and education, oftentimes, the topic is discussed using a deficit framework detailing a lack of access to education, lack of motivation, and the school-to-prison pipeline. However, there is an abundance of research that refutes the deficit narrative and disrupts the salient discourse focusing on the underachievement of Black men. Specifically, Black male college students have been and are successful in academic domains. The issue is not an achievement gap, yet, as President Obama stated, an opportunity and resource gap. Support systems must be developed to nurture the intelligence, creativity, resilience, and evolution of Black male college students.
A unique partnership between the Honors College and the Office of Black Student Achievement was created to address these gaps. Honoring the mission and vision of President Obama, Georgia State adopted the name My Brother’s Keeper for Georgia State’s African American Male Initiative. The goal of My Brother’s Keeper or MBK GSU is to nurture a community focused on the personal, educational, and professional needs and development of Black males. MBK GSU aims to accomplish these goals through one-on-one and group mentorship, connecting students to research, scholarships, and job opportunities, introducing students to a network of community partners, and, most importantly, connecting students to one another.
My Brother's Keeper
As the largest African American Male Initiative in the University System of Georgia, MBK GSU seeks to support and cultivate a community of Black male scholars from all majors and enrollment statuses and develop them as leaders and change agents in their respective fields. The program’s specific goals include academic skills enrichment, student support services, adult and peer mentoring, and leadership development. MBK GSU grounds its work in inclusive excellence, positive psychology, and vertical mentoring. Black males are multifaceted and have multiple social identities, and we celebrate MBK GSU members by reminding them of their strengths and creating environments where they learn as both mentee and mentor.
Educational resources are provided through experiential learning opportunities such as research assistantships and support, internships, civic engagement, graduate school and career preparation, and scholarships. Student support, mentoring, and leadership development goals are achieved through the collective strength and creation of community-centric resources and collaborative environments.
Our Mission
Learning Outcomes
As a member of the My Brother’s Keeper Georgia State University cohort, students will:
- learn how to leverage their strengths to enhance their personal, academic, and professional success;
- discover methods to make healthy decisions, including but not limited to, psychological, physical, relational, financial health;
- develop a working knowledge of research, internships, graduate school, study abroad, and learning and career opportunities available in their field;
- enhance and develop leadership skills;
- build a network of peers and professionals in their field; and
- develop strategies to address complex challenges in their field.
Meet Our Student Leaders
Brielle Smith
MBA Program, Hospitality Administration concentration
I am a woman that is passionate about many things but at the forefront would be helping and serving others. I completed my undergraduate education at Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors in Integrative Studies concentrating in Hospitality and Leadership. I was an executive board member of a community service-based student organization called T.R.U.S.T. KSU where my passion for service and leading others grew. I am also co-founder of a social service organization called Just[US] Inc. that focuses on bringing awareness to our community on issues including voter engagement, criminal justice reform, and social justice advocacy. I am excited to be a part of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative to continue to support and uplift while also growing as a leader who seeks to make a positive impact.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Julian Taylor
MBA Program, General Business
I was born and raised in Jamaica. I received my Bachelors from Georgia State University in English, with a minor in Hospitality. I worked in admissions for over 8 years, supervising students, reading applications, and coordinating events. I enjoy cooking, writing, and hiking.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Coming Soon
Contact Us
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
Associate Director, My Brother’s Keeper
Pronouns: he/him/his
Are you a First-Generation Student?
A first-generation student is one whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. You’re a family trailblazer, seeking higher levels of education than your parents and grandparents. We’re here to help make navigating that uncharted territory as easy as possible.
-Evangelina Buteau, Senior