Our Love Your School (LYS) Collective participated in the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Chicago Quarterly Convening, a gathering of educators, advocates, and community leaders united by one vision: to transform how we support boys and young men of color in Chicago.
MBK, launched by President Obama in 2014, is a national initiative focused on closing opportunity gaps for young men of color and ensuring all youth can reach their full potential.
Our Director of Education Initiatives, Damien Howard—who also serves on the MBK Chicago board—spoke on these themes alongside other leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, who shared his vision for building a city where young people are seen, supported, and set up to thrive.
The answer was clear: when we lead with belonging, healing, and culturally responsive support, we unlock brilliance, promotes safety, and create generational change.
This gathering reinforced the importance of collective action in creating lasting change. We are proud to be part of this movement and invite you to join the LYS Collective through our website in building a brighter future for Chicago’s youth.
