Forest Heights Mayor Issues Call to Action for Community Involvement for 'My Brother's Keeper' Program

Forest Heights Mayor Jacqueline Goodall will assemble officials and civic leaders in Prince George’s County for a second community forum regarding President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” (MBK) program Saturday Nov. 8, 2014 from 1 to 4 PM at the Forest Heights Municipal Building at 5508 Arapahoe Drive, Forest Heights, Maryland.

The purpose of the meeting will be to bring together individuals and organizations that are committed toward making a difference in the lives of young men of color. Mayor Goodall and Town officials had previously met with dozens of Prince George’s County leaders June 28, 2014 in Forest Heights to develop and implement strategies and outreach opportunities.

“While there currently are strong commitments from the local community, academic and public leaders, there is no dedicated infrastructure to engage and hold the diverse number of stakeholders accountable,” said Mayor Goodall. “I believe we can leverage our efforts to improve the minority male outcomes in areas of education, health, employment and achievement. The missing link has been a coordination and alignment between public-private efforts, social initiatives and buy-in from those that need it the most. I believe that the President’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Initiative and Community Challenge will help us here in Prince George’s County as well as nationally to build such an infrastructure.”

The Maryland Black Mayors Inc. and the Forest Heights-Oxon Hill Community Development Corporation will also host an MBK Community Outreach event Saturday Nov. 15, 2014 at Oxon Hill High School, 6701 Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill, Maryland from 11 AM until 5 PM. This event launch will be targeted at efforts to advocate for the needs of young men of color between the ages of 15 and 25. Participants will benefit from the numerous resources that will be on hand, as well as the moral support of peer-to-peer and/or mentee-to-mentor exchange.

In February, President Obama launched the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.

Through this initiative, the Administration is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class.

More information on the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper.

The Town of Forest Heights comprises approximately 2,500 residents and 945 homes that straddle both sides of Maryland Route 210, and is located near the Capital Beltway, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and National Harbor.