Hey, what’s happening people?
Yo!
I heard music was being made here.
Oh my god!
So I stopped by
because a couple of years ago,
My Brother's Keeper, MBK, we decided
let's
see if we can do
some positive things
as opposed to just focus on the negative.
And this outstanding program
was one of the recipients.
We thought it was a great idea.
We supported it, and
now it's blossomed into this.
So Guitars Over Guns is
a music mentoring program.
We believe in the power of music
and how transformative it can be.
It's major
for the president
to come by to say that
he's supporting the program.
It puts a spotlight
on the things that all of us
who are on the frontline are doing,
that it has value, that it’s important.
I want to stop by and just,
you know,
tell you guys I'm proud of you and
excited about what you guys are doing.
And
I figured that I might get some samples
of some work before I left.
[artist rapping]
For him to come here,
you know,
I get to see him bobbing his head to my verse.
I'm just like, you know,
I might be making it somewhere.
My Brother’s Keeper
is such an important cohort
because
we're able to be around
other organizations
who are doing similar work
and they're not giving up on our kids
the same way
we're not giving up on our kids.
We have to be there for each other
because if we don't, then who will?
It is because of the MBK Alliance
that I stand before you
with my body
connected to my voice
with the spirit that can rejoice.
We're really excited today
because President Obama
is announcing
four Model Communities
that have shown true impact
in one of our six milestones.
Part of what the goal of this
convening has been is
to put a spotlight on
some of that extraordinary success.
I could not be prouder of the efforts
that are being made by
My Brother's Keeper across the country.
Mr. President
where we look at, where we start
is being intentional and understanding
and recognizing that every single person
has values, strengths, gifts, and talents.
That's where we’ve found success.
To be able
to come and hear the six
priorities reemphasized,
and then to see these
highlighted communities
whereby this work is not only taking off,
but there is real data
that says that these cities are different
because MBK showed up is something
that was very inspirational for us today.
To be able to look up
and see that there are brothers
and sisters across the country
who are working on
some of these same issues,
seeing successes,
and I'm sure also
finding points
of friction and resistance.
I think that's,
you know, so powerful to have
that think tank brought together.
Our responsibility is to create
meaningful community schools
so that children can receive health
services, social-emotional support.
In Yonkers, we figured that out,
because of the support
of the Obama Foundation
and the MBK Alliance.
This collective of people who have seen
success across the country is
both encouraging and a great challenge.
It makes me excited to get back to work.
I believe that most Americans
would rather
see boys and young men of color succeeding.
But I think a lot of times
they don't have the information to know,
can that happen?
We're presenting
that information here today.
You guys are carrying that torch
as you go out
into your respective communities.
Let's build on that success
and keep telling that story.
All right. Thank you very much, everybody.