Winston-Salem, NC — On April 1, 2025, Winston-Salem was home to a powerful series of gatherings where community leaders, organizers, and advocates came together to reflect on—and build upon—the transformative work of My Brother’s Keeper Winston-Salem (MBKWS). It was a day to celebrate significant victories, embrace the ongoing work, and look toward the future, with a special focus on the city’s chance to become a My Brother’s Keeper Accelerator City.
This day wasn’t just a celebration of progress—it was a recommitment to people and purpose. Every conversation, every embrace, every shared vision reminded us that real change is rooted in relationships. We honored the lives impacted, the youth leading the way, and the community coming together with renewed clarity and courage. This was about more than milestones; it was about deepening our collective civic muscle and advancing a shared commitment to justice, belonging, and opportunity for all.
What is My Brother’s Keeper?
My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) is a national initiative launched by President Barack Obama in 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color. At its core, MBK seeks to achieve systems change, transforming the policies, practices, and institutional structures that impact the lives of these boys and young men. This means addressing the root causes of disparities in areas like education, criminal justice, health, employment, and safety, ensuring that all systems are aligned to support the success of boys and young men of color.
MBK communities nationwide focus on breaking down barriers and providing opportunities that empower youth to thrive through mentorship, community engagement, and advocacy for policy reforms. These efforts are anchored in 6 key milestones, developed by the MBK Alliance, that guide local communities in creating tangible improvements. These milestones include:
These milestones reflect the broad, systemic approach MBK takes to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has the tools, support, and opportunities to reach their full potential.
My Brother’s Keeper in Winston-Salem
My Brother’s Keeper Winston-Salem began in 2016 as a call to action to improve the lives of boys and young men of color. In 2023, our community proudly took up the mantle once again, re-launching the initiative as a citywide movement grounded in equity, accountability, and collaboration. Locally led by Action4Equity, a Black-led, multiracial justice grassroots organization, MBKWS is powered by a coalition of partners, including Forsyth Family Power, Love Literacy, the School Justice Partnership, Project Safe Neighborhoods, Thriving Together, and a broad network of individuals and organizations—youth, faith leaders, educators, and public officials, including MBK Systems Leader Mayor Pro Tem DD Adams. Together, they are working on practical solutions in education and safety to break down the barriers that hold back boys and young men of color and ensure they have the support and resources they need to succeed.
“I am happy to add my support to the My Brother’s Keeper Program here in Winston-Salem. It has been my honor to assist with this program since its inception by President Barack Obama. The program has produced great dividends among our young men, and I am very pleased with the new invigorated effort.” – Mayor Allen Joines
In just a few short years, MBK Winston-Salem has achieved measurable wins: reducing out-of-school suspensions, investing in youth leadership, and contributing to a significant drop in the local homicide rate. Now, with the opportunity to become a nationally recognized MBK Accelerator City, Winston-Salem is poised to deepen its impact and set a model for what’s possible when a community unites for equity and justice.
To learn more about the transformative work of MBK Winston-Salem and its vision for the future, watch the video of a presentation from MBKWS at the Faith in the City event below.
As we look to the future, the role of local leaders like Kellie Easton, CEO of Action4Equity, continues to be a driving force in shaping the path forward for MBK Winston-Salem. In November 2023, Kellie was featured in a conversation hosted by the Obama Foundation, where President Obama joined global experts to discuss cultivating a healthier, more inclusive democratic culture. This discussion highlights the critical need for continued leadership in creating spaces where young Black men can thrive.
To hear more from Kellie on this vital work, watch the full video from the November 2023 event below.
A Critical Win: Eliminating Out-of-School Suspensions
One of the most impactful victories celebrated on April 1 was reforming school discipline policies, particularly eliminating out-of-school suspensions (OoS) for Pre-K through third-grade students. This policy change marked a milestone in prioritizing student well-being and dignity. Instead of pushing young children out of classrooms, the focus shifted toward restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and behavioral supports.
The results have been profound: out-of-school suspensions have dropped by 46% across all student groups. The reduction was even more striking among Black male elementary students, where suspensions dropped from 303 to 137. This win is a powerful reflection of what happens when we center love and care in our schools, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
A Drop in Homicide Rates: A Testament to Collective Impact
Equally significant is the progress Winston-Salem has seen in public safety – the city has seen a 35% drop in homicide rates from 2023 to 2024. This is not just a statistic—it’s a reflection of a community coming together, a city that is beginning to heal through connection, love, and support.
This collective impact underscores the idea that meaningful community-driven change is never achieved alone. It’s about fostering strong, trust-based relationships, creating lasting partnerships across sectors, and working together to address shared challenges. True progress comes from the combined efforts of individuals, organizations, and institutions that remain committed to supporting each other and pushing forward, even in the face of adversity.
Placeholder for quote from Rev. Ford about the importance of community collaboration in reducing violence.
Accelerator City: A New Opportunity for Winston-Salem
The celebration wasn’t just about looking back—it was also about looking ahead. One of the most exciting prospects discussed was the opportunity for Winston-Salem to be named an MBK Accelerator City. This designation would not only place Winston-Salem at the forefront of national efforts to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color but would also bring an influx of investment, additional resources, specialized training, and access to a network of cities leading the way in creating lasting, systemic change.
Becoming an Accelerator City means joining a group of cities like Omaha, Newark, and Tulsa that have made significant progress by working together to improve systems that affect youth, transform schools to better support students, and focus on the overall well-being of boys and young men of color.
Placeholder for quote from MacArthur Antigua about the importance of being an Accelerator City and the potential for population-level impact.
For Winston-Salem, this is an opportunity to deepen its commitment to the young people already in motion and to expand efforts for boys and young men of color, building a future where every child, no matter their background, can thrive. That future is already taking shape through youth like Amarie Faison, who now serves as a national MBK Ambassador—an example of what it looks like to raise up young Black men as the leaders of tomorrow, rooted in purpose and possibility.
Placeholder for quote from Amarie Faison on what being an Accelerator City means for local youth.
Moving Forward: Continuing the Journey
As we look to the future, we acknowledge that our work is far from finished. There’s more to be done, and more lives to be touched. But the momentum building is undeniable, and as Mayor Pro Tem Dee Dee Adams so powerfully expressed, the people of Winston-Salem are ready to move forward together.
Placeholder for quote from Mayor Pro Tem Dee Dee Adams about the importance of continuing the work and community commitment.
The energy in the room on April 1 was more than just hope—it was resolve. It was a reminder that while the road ahead is long, we are walking it together, shoulder to shoulder. With every step, we are shaping a future where every child is not only seen, heard, and loved, but empowered, protected, and free to thrive. This is how we build lasting change: in unity, with purpose, and by refusing to leave anyone behind.
Placeholder for closing statement from Esharan about the future of MBK and continued community efforts.