Civil and Human Rights Coalition Praises Launch of President Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Initiative

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement of the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative aimed at creating opportunities for boys and young men of color in America:

“The ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative is a much needed partnership that recognizes that prosperity is hollow if we can’t all thrive together.

Expanding opportunity and improving the life outcomes for boys and young men of color is not only a concern for minorities, but for the entire nation. Black and Hispanic boys and young men continue to lag behind their white peers’ educational outcomes and employment. They’re disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system and are more than six times as likely to become victims of murder. We cannot expect our country or communities to prosper if this reality persists.

We applaud the administration for spearheading this important cross-sector partnership – and for creating an interagency task force to address these critical disparities – and look forward to working together for a brighter future for all.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.