Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates (JNJG) students from West Side High School in Newark, NJ recently got the opportunity to showcase their employability skills at the My Brothers’ Keeper (MBKN) Opportunity Summit. JNJG students competed with more than 1,000 other students and adults for part-time, seasonal and full-time jobs throughout Newark. More than one-third of the West Side JNJG participants were hired on the spot and even more secured interviews for employment. Workshops were held throughout the day and speakers, guest celebrities, and mentors were on hand to support, advise, and encourage participants. Obama Foundation representatives provided positive feedback about JAG students’ preparation and appearance.
My Brother’s Keeper Newark is Newark’s response to President Obama’s call for action to address the pressing challenges of men and boys of color. The response builds on Newark’s unique environment and brings together leadership and partnerships that promise to magnify and strengthen efforts around six White House-identified goals. MBKN exponentially ramps how the city invests resources and braids together initiatives to insure that all young men, particularly young men of color, can achieve their full potential, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances in which they are born (www.mbknewark.org).