On April 6, 2024, Ike Powell III, Youth Services Department Division Director of Outreach & Community Programming, convened and provided exemplary leadership for the My Brother’s Keeper 2024 Conference. The conference was held in partnership with Palm Beach State College at its Loxahatchee Groves campus. The theme for the conference was “Equitable Access to Opportunities” – focused on equipping young men with tools to break barriers, become transformational leaders and succeed in today’s society.
A host of dynamic and engaging local and national leaders addressed key skills needed and strategies including leadership excellence, emotional management, health and wellness, and school and community safety. A dynamic college and career panel discussion featured industry professionals from NextEra Energy, Enterprise Mobility, Palm Beach State College, and Xcel Mentoring Network.
More than 140 individuals attended, including 92 teenaged young men, MBK Ambassadors from throughout Palm Beach County as well as from the City of Orlando, City of St. Petersburg, and Safe and Sound Hillsboro.
Conference highlights included engaging workshops, panel discussions, listening sessions, mentorship, group exercises, and activities including a Drum Circle led by Anthony Bacchus of Cape Universal, Inc.
David Ricks, County Engineer, led workshops on health, wellness and nutrition.
Talmedge Hayes of the Graphics Division of Public Affairs served as the keynote speaker on “The Company You Keep.”
Wen Fils-Aime, Program Coordinator with the Youth Services Department, led workshops on emotional management.
Incentives and prizes were disseminated throughout the day to young men for their participation.
Three young men were awarded scholarships to attend Palm Beach State College.
In post-event surveys, participants expressed appreciation for the conference and some lessons learned, including:
“To do the things you love and never give up on your dreams” and “Failure isn’t permanent and is a stepping stone to success.”
The My Brother’s Keeper Network thanks all attendees, volunteers, and sponsors NextEra Energy Resources, Florida Power & Light Company, Palm Beach State College, and Enterprise Mobility. MBK also commends and thanks partners MBK Ambassadors, MBK Florida Alliance, Urban Youth Development, Cape Universal, Inc, and Timeless Media.
Please see the video below to experience the MBK 2024 conference highlights.
The My Brother's Keeper Network is a coalition of public and private entities that work together to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color through internal
agency policy review, education and employment opportunities.
The activities promoted by this network focus primarily on the following national goals: