Closing Out a Powerful 2024 – The Winter Newsletter
Dear community,
All of us at The B.R.O. Experience wish you a peaceful and healthy end to 2024 and dawn of a new year.
As we reflect back, it seems crazy to try and pack this whole year into a single newsletter, but let’s do it anyway! 2024 was incredibly active for The B.R.O. Experience. We made great strides in our mission to support young men of color with our tailored care, combining cognitive-behavioral support, mindfulness, literacy, creative arts, critical consciousness, and community-building. We thank you for believing in this work, in the young men we serve, and in a vision for a New York City that works for everyone. If you feel this and aren’t already a donor, please consider becoming a monthly sustainer so we can keep it growing.
Okay, let’s go!
First up, The Mantra. If you haven’t watched this video, take 55 seconds and get inspired.
So Much Programming
2024 was packed with programming and we added some powerful new offerings to our catalog.
The BRO Project came out of pilot mode and went official, offering a nine-month comprehensive curriculum for young men impacted by the justice system and disconnected from education.
This Summer, Little BRO Summer Camp offered third, fourth, and fifth-graders seven weeks of fun, friendship, literacy, and cultural activities (and your support with the donor drive helped it happen). Plus, we kicked off Little BRO Saturdays to give our youngsters a way to stay connected with the program year-round.
Rites of Passage, our four year high school program, expanded to cover all four grade levels, serving nearly 60 students this year.
We began offering the HERO Dads program thanks to a partnership with Montefiore Hospital, and we’ll be using this as a springboard to offer more fatherhood cohorts.
We offered our first GED course.
And cut the ribbon on our new BRO Space Computer Lab.
If you’re not familiar with our unique Behind the Bars music therapy workshops, check out the stunning book of writings, reflections, and images our students created in Soundtrack of My Life, Vol 1.
Events in The BRO Space
We also packed a lot of events into this past year. The BRO Space was glowing with an R&B Sound Bath, a soul-stirring screening of Moonlight, a Fathering After Fathers Day event moderated by Jeff Lindor, founder of The Gentleman's Factory. We hosted a powerful gathering of the Project Restore Bed Stuy initiative with the Brooklyn DA’s office. Brought the Brooklyn community together for our fourth anniversary event, The Room Where it Happens (check out all the pics). Our young men went to the State Capital for the Black Caucus and dropped the BRO Mantra on stage. And if you want a deeper look into how The BRO Space really elevates, read the stories our Program Coordinator Anecia Henry shared here.
And finally, when it comes to events, the Extraordinary Men Awards closed us out with a boom – if you were there, you know. The EMAs are our annual ceremony to bring us together and uplift men of color who are really showing up for our young people. This year we honored the remarkable Dr. Chris Emdin, rapper Maino, and a remarkable roster of others. Feast on the photo gallery here and on Instagram.
Celebrating our Funders
This year we were honored with significant financial support from some of NYC’s leading foundations. Thank you to The Pinkerton Foundation, Brooklyn.org, van Ameringen Foundation, MetLife Foundation, SparkYouth NYC, and the Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund via the NY City Council and Urban League. To learn more about the funding announcement from Brooklyn.org, a story just ran in the Brooklyn Paper.
Our city’s elected officials also continue to be amazing backers, with State Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman leading the charge with truly heroic dedication.
Our Team Grew (and we’re hiring)
The BRO family grew bigger than ever this year, welcoming Anecia Henry (Program Coordinator), Brian Equinda (Executive Coordinator), Williams Guerrier (Lead Facilitator), and Darnell Bowers (Co-Facilitator). And we proudly promoted two of our Rites of Passage members to work in our Summer Camp program (read the interview with Jayvon and Djibril here).
And if you could see yourself excelling at this kind of work, we’re hiring facilitators for the Behind the Bars program (info here) and are always looking for volunteers.
Remembering Brandon Dubois
2024 also brought a tragic loss. In May, 24-year-old Brandon Dubois was fatally shot in Brooklyn. Brandon was a participant in our first BRO Project cohort and he earned his certificate of completion in a ceremony at The BRO Space just days before his death. We mourn such a tragic loss and our hearts are with Brandon’s family and loved ones.
In the aftermath, Barry wrote a reflection on this tragedy, the one-sided coverage in the press, and the need for systems that support instead of vilify young men like Brandon.
Barry also wrote a poem dedicated to Brandon, “I Wish I Could Get Mondays Back”
Help Us Stay Strong
None of this is possible without the support of our community members. Your donation provides essential fundings, and it’s also a vote that says: “I support positive growth and justice for young men of color.” Make your tax-deductible monthly or one-time donation (it only takes a few seconds).
Plus, the Richard Beavers Art Gallery is donating 15% of their profits to The B.R.O. Experience this season, so buy some art or swag and support the cause.
Stay Strong and Stay in Touch
Thank you for following our work and believing in us. Make sure to stay connected with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and subscribe to our mailing list at the bottom of this page.
Stay safe. Stay strong. Much love to all,
Barry, August, and the whole B.R.O. team
