ROC My Brother’s Keeper to Host Youth Peace Summit

Former President Barack Obama with My Brother's Keeper youth.

The City of Rochester and Rochester City School District’s ROC My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Program is hosting a Youth Peace Summit from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Monroe Community College Downtown Campus, 321 State St.

The event is open to all youth. Adults are welcome to stay for the event however, only youth will be able to participate in the Summit.

ROC MBK is a collaborative effort between New York State, the City of Rochester, the RCSD and local community agencies whose focus is on the creation of sustainable pathways for young people with an emphasis on males of color.

At the event, Rochester youth, both young men and women will be able to share their insights and observations regarding the community’s ongoing struggle with violent crime in neighborhoods, articulate top concerns from their perspective and recommend potential solutions.

ROC MBK is a member of the national My Brothers Keeper alliance, which was launched in 2014 by Former President Barack Obama and transitioned to the Chicago-based Obama Foundation. Obama launched the MBK 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, according to the obamawhitehouse.archives.gov.

The City of Rochester’s Youth Voice One Vision, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and the RCSD’s Student Leadership Congress as well as other local youth groups were a part of the planning for this event.

The event is being sponsored by the City Department of Recreation and Human Services; RCSD; Monroe Community College; the Rochester Police Department, the Monroe County Youth Bureau, IBERO American Action League, and the office of Monroe County Legislator Ricky Frazier.

Doors open at 9 a.m. and free parking is available in Lot AA on Morrie Silver Way.

Residents seeking more information can call Coordinator of Roc MBK Initiatives George Warren at (585) 428-7938 or email George.Warren@CityofRochester.Gov.