Kefele: “See every
possible profession”
NEWBURGH — The “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative
was launched on Saturday at Newburgh Free Academy.
Newburgh Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberto Padilla described the program,
started by President Obama in 2014 as a way to spread love to communities
of color.
“Across New York State, communities are finally encouraged to look
at their populace, especially the youngest of theme, to say ‘I love
you,” he said, “the kind of I love you that can ensure students
that we have the best we can offer them.”
Padilla said what matters most is the nurturing and loving relationships
that are developed as a result. “I’m talking about the love
that makes you advocate children who are not biologically yours, because
we all know that you want the very best for your children and will go
to the ends of the earth for them.”
One of those teachers who takes his father figure role seriously is Torrance
Harvey, a history teacher at Newburgh Free Academy as well as a city council
member, who has mentored junior Cameron King since he was a freshman.
“I see a lot of myself in [King], and he made it known to me early
on that he saw me as a role model,” he said. “He’s full
of energy and very bright, and he has a vision of the social community
beyond Newburgh.”
The feeling is mutual for King.
“He is not only an inspiration, but a second father for me,”
he said. “Every time I need to talk to someone in school or I’m
doing bad in something, Mr. Harvey has alway been there for me.”
Renowned school principal Baruti Kefele was the keynote speaker for the
afternoon. He shared his journey from being a struggling student in both
high school and community college to eventually transforming Newark Tech
High School in New Jersey as principal and making national headlines for
doing so.
He credits his success for realizing that exposure to multiple opportunities
is the key to success.
“You and I can only dream of what we can conceptualize, and if we
haven’t been exposed to it, we might think it is out of sight,”
he said. “All of our youngsters have been exposed to figures of
color in sports and entertainment, but with My Brother’s Keeper,
I can ensure that these youngsters see every possible profession.”
My Brother’s Keeper was launched at the federal level in 2014 and
New York was the first state to enact the initiative into law under its
2016-17 budget. The budget included a $20 million investment to improve
outcomes for young men of color.
Newburgh is one of 100 cities nationwide to accept President Obama’s
challenge, and its initiative is a partnership of the school district,
local municipalities and community-based organizations. A comprehensive
plan focusing on improving six key milestones, such as improving literacy
and job search preparedness, was laid out during the launch on Saturday,
and the school district will implement a plan within the coming months.
