My Brother's Keeper Houston partners with 2023 Youth Leadership Summit

On November 28 young men of color in Houston came together for the 2023 Youth Leadership Summit, in partnership with the city of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner, who championed organizations like these, including the Houston Health Department’s (HHD) initiative, My Brother’s Keeper Houston (MBKH).

The summit, dubbed “Smart’n Up”, was conceived as a forum to address the unique needs of boys of color in Houston. It provided a platform to expose young men to empowering information, positive role models, potential mentors and critical resources to help them survive and succeed in society.

The event opened with morning refreshments for the teens before they heard from a variety of black men across several industries to encourage the students to choose paths that will lead to stability and lifelong success. Many of the presenters grew up in the same neighborhoods as the ones the audiences reside in now, which gave credence to the reality that the summit wanted to drive home: where you are now has no standing on where you will end up.

Houston-based activist and organizer Deric Muhammad welcomed guests who could speak to the harsh realities that young men of color can face growing in tough environments and encouraged them to make the right decisions when it comes to who they spend time with and how they see themselves.

“If you ever start to get to a place where you can look in the mirror and tell that reflection, ‘I can’, whatever you say it shall be,” Houston pastor Jamail Johnson said. “You have to be able to see yourself at your end.”

Mayor Turner also participated in a panel discussion and offered advice for the young audience. As an Acres Home native, he understands the growing pains young men of color are going through and encourages them on their journey.

“Growing up in Acres Home has prepared me to be a mayor, not the University of Houston nor Harvard,” Mayor Turner said. “Learning how to determine who’s your friend, who’s not your friend, how to say yes or no and still moving forward, that’s what prepared me for the storms that I faced as a mayor.  He continued, “You are fully prepared and don’t be ashamed of where you come from. I’m the mayor but this city needs you.”

The students also heard from a Black military pilot who reminded the young crowd that even if they don’t excel in school, there is still hope for success by finding career paths that don’t require a college degree. Finally, they heard from former NFL football player Michael Brockers who told the crowd to stay focused on their goals and abilities if they genuinely want a career in sports, business or the arts.

At the end of the event MBK Houston’s Project Director Chazz Bailey left the audience with an empowering motto to remind them of the power they hold to make the right choices.

“My Brother’s Keeper initiative in Houston has given you three words to remember,” Bailey said. “I am, I can, and I will. Today is about changing your mindset so no matter what you do, it starts up here. Change your mindset and you can change the world.

To learn about the Houston Health Department’s My Brother’s Keeper – Houston initiative log on to houstonhealth.org.