Opinion: Celebrating New York’s commitment to young men of color

Buffalo, Batavia, Rochester, Schenectady and now Yonkers – I’ve worked in public schools all over New York State. These communities are different in some respects, but they all share a commitment to supporting young men of color.

In each of these school districts, I have started or supported a chapter of My Brother’s Keeper, the program that President Barack Obama launched 10 years ago in response to the death of Trayvon Martin. These days, Obama continues this initiative through the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation, which works with hundreds of communities nationwide to improve the lives of boys and young men of color. 

In 2023, when the Obama Foundation named four My Brother’s Keeper Model Communities for their exceptional outcomes for young men of color, Yonkers was selected in recognition of its on-time graduation rate for young men of color, which at 91% is the highest statewide. 

Yonkers is a standout, but so is New York. We are one of few states nationwide that provide a financial investment to My Brother’s Keeper chapters. More importantly, men of color hold significant positions of power in our education system, which sends an important signal to our students. The Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young Jr. is a Black man, and so is New York City Public Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. is Black and Latino, while New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa, is Latina. 

This speaks to a changing narrative for New York state, one where people of color are at the forefront of educational leadership. It’s a narrative reflected in the state’s political landscape as well, with Carl Heastie serving as the first Black speaker of the state Assembly, Andrea Stewart-Cousins leading as the first Black woman to serve as state Senate majority leader, and Hakeem Jeffries in Washington, D.C. as the first Black party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This spring, I had the privilege to join this elite group of leaders as superintendent of Yonkers, one of New York's five largest school districts. This role is not just a professional achievement; it’s a deeply personal mission to create a brighter future for all students, especially those who, like my adopted Black son, inspire me with their resilience and constantly reaffirm the importance of this work in empowering young men of color. It’s a testament to the progress we’ve made and a reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead to ensure all children have the opportunities they deserve.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of empowering these young men. In every district I’ve served, including Buffalo, Batavia and Schenectady, I’ve prioritized creating opportunities for their growth by securing New York State My Brother’s Keeper Grants to further their work. In Yonkers, I am determined to amplify this impact by making the revitalization of our My Brother’s Keeper chapter an immediate priority. Our recent inaugural summit on Juneteenth was just the beginning. It was a call to action to get people back in the room and bring fresh energy to our mission. We also appointed a terrific new executive director, Dr. Jason Baez, to lead the charge – a former teacher and administrator whose personal journey is an inspiration to students. 

This dedication is deeply rooted in my own educational experience. As a student in Rochester, I had one Black male teacher and no Latino male teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade. This lack of representation is not unique; nationwide, only 2% of public school teachers are Black men, and another 2% are Latino men.

My own Latino father was absent for the majority of my life, and I relied heavily on other men of color for mentorship, including my one Black male teacher, Mr. Postel. He showed me what was possible, advocated for me and gave me the unwritten blueprint for success as men of color that we often don't talk about, like what you wear and how you act (or code switch) in certain situations. I'm standing on the shoulders of other men of color, like Mr. Postel, who have paved the way for us. 

As a Latino man raising an adopted Black son, I know firsthand the transformative power of representation and mentorship for young men of color. My son, like countless other young men of color, deserves to see himself reflected in the leaders and role models around him. I am committed to fostering an educational environment in Yonkers where every student, regardless of their background, feels seen, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.