District Taps Proven Local Leader To Head My Brother's Keeper Program

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A community leader with a proven track record of giving young people in New Rochelle a leg up, is taking his battle-tested skillset to classrooms in New Rochelle.

Former director of operations for Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (BGCNR), Nathaniel Adams, has joined the City School District of New Rochelle to manage and implement the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative.

MBK New Ro is a collaboration betweeen the City of New Rochelle and the school district under the umbrella of the New Rochelle Youth Bureau. Its stated mission is to change the narrative of underserved populations, particularly boys and young men of color, by closing and eliminating opportunity gaps and helping them to reach their full potential.

"I am absolutely thrilled for Nate as he has been the ‘heart and soul’ of the Boys & Girls Club, making a true difference by positively impacting the lives of many of our youth and our families," BGCNR CEO Becky Mazzanobile said. "I am grateful Nate will continue working closely with us as a member of our Remington Capital and Construction Campaign Committees, and as district liaison for after-school and enrichment programming made possible by our recently awarded 21st Century Grant. He also will continue to strengthen our important relationship with the school district, providing meaningful opportunities and supporting our youth and families in New Rochelle. Our community is fortunate to have such an incredibly caring and big-hearted person like Nate."

In his new role, Adams will be working closely with Superintendent Jonathan Raymond to address concerns overs disparate outcomes for youth of color in the community. He will also be tasked with reviewing policies and practices that may have contributed to these disparities.

"We are thrilled to have Nate Adams joining the New Rochelle school district team," said Superintendent Raymond said. "Nate’s experience at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and commitment to the children in our community make him uniquely qualified to lead the My Brother’s Keeper partnership with the City of New Rochelle. Nate epitomizes the ideal that we are one New Rochelle."

According to the school district, Adams will lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive approach to the MBK initiative, and support schools with the creation, implementation and evaluation of programs and learning opportunities for male students of color in grades pre-K through 12. He will also serve as an internal and external leader representing their voice and needs within the district and community at large, and be responsible for developing a multi-sectoral, city-wide agenda focused on creating high-impact solutions to help them succeed.

Adams joinined BGCNR as director of its Remington Clubhouse in 2015. After becoming director of operations in 2016, he increased BGCNR’s role in the community through initiatives that included raising the number of before-care and after-school programs from five to 25, managing development of eight additional sites and doubling the number of youth served, creating the New Rochelle Huguenot Football Program and leading BGCNR’s partnership and mentoring collaboration with PepsiCo. Under his tenure, the Boys & Girls Club introduced new elementary school clubs.

"I can’t thank the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and our board of directors enough for entrusting me to help guide our efforts and allowing me to realize my vision for this dynamic organization," Adams said. "I never dreamed I’d be able to impact so many communities, children, and parents during my seven-year tenure with BGCNR. I’m confident that the BGCNR foundation is stronger than ever and look forward to supporting a new generation of leaders who’ll serve as a beacon of hope for the children who need us most."

He promised to take the lessons he learned along the way to his new job in the community he loves.

"Under my leadership, the MBK initiative will continue to collaborate with and support organizations such as BGCNR. It takes a village and strong stakeholders such as BGCNR to provide our youth with positive opportunities and experiences, and exposure to all life has to offer," Adams said.