Uniondale Students Named Fellows by the Obama Foundations' MBK

The State Education Department recently inducted the seventh class of My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)—a class which included two students from Uniondale High school, Jaden Eccelston and Aaron Osorio. The MBK program comprises 97 young men of color who are leaders in their schools and communities. MBK Fellows at Uniondale gain mentor relationship opportunities in government, education, and business. This designation and recognition are a result of the Uniondale students' dedicated work toward improving outcomes for boys and young men of color—as well as all youth.

“To truly achieve equity in education, we must work collectively to break through the barriers that limit the success of our youth,” said Commissioner Rosa from My Brother’s Keeper. “With the growth and continued success of our My Brother’s Keeper initiative, communities across the state are coming together to create and expand opportunities for young people of color.”

To join the NYSMBK Community Network, a school superintendent and local government official must sign a letter to the State of Education Department showing their support of the chosen young man. Each of the Fellows are matched with a mentor given a fellowship opportunity. The Fellows participated in an induction ceremony during the 2024 MBK Symposium.
The MBK Fellows Program has inducted 443 Fellows to date, each given a mentor for the New York State MBK Community Network partner. Fellows develop service projects beneficial to the schools they attend and communities they live in. The New York State Education Department has awarded over $2.6 million in grant funds to support this program since its inception. The MBK Model Communities program, which celebrated its successes at the National MBK Conference attended by President Obama, provides Uniondale School District with direct access to coaching, evaluation support and a network of peer learning. Uniondale School District recognition and certification by the MBK Alliance place it within an esteemed network committed to ongoing improvement and collective impact.
“Uniondale’s scholars impress me each and every day with their dedication and passion to everything they do,” said Superintendent Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil. “Jaden and Aaron contributed their efforts to make our school District a better place. I am so pleased with the work the MBK does and hope to continue our work with them in the future.”
For more information on the Uniondale Union Free School District, visit the website: https://district.uniondaleschools.org. Like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/uniondalek12 and follow us on Instagram: @Uniondale_k12.