Subscribe
NewsOne Featured Video
CLOSE

President Barack Obama (pictured) has been aggressively pushing an agenda that strengthens the core of the nation via education, job creation, and supporting middle class families. Now the administration will turn its aim to improve the lives of young men of color via an initiative titled “My Brother’s Keeper.”

SEE ALSO: President Announces Progress In Completing ConnectED Initiative

Although the President has shied away from race matters in the past, there has been an undeniable shift in focus from the White House regarding the plight of young people of color who have been disproportionately slammed by poverty, lack of opportunity, and unfair prison sentences.

According to a Washington Post report, the President will officially announce the launch of this new plan this Thursday, and it comes at a critical point in his second term. President Obama has endured heavy criticism from Black leaders and other minority groups for not tailoring his policies toward their needs.

There has been a change in direction in the President’s message ever since his spirited State of the Union speech last month. During the address, President Obama spoke clearly of his upcoming agenda, although he didn’t announce it by name.

“I’m reaching out to some of America’s leading foundations and corporations on a new initiative to help more young men of color facing especially tough odds stay on track and reach their full potential,” said the President during the address.

A White House official told the Washington Post that, with the help of community and business leaders, the initiative will zero in “on key moments in the lives of these young men where interventions have been shown to have the greatest impact — things like making sure children arrive at school ready to learn and reducing negative interactions with the criminal justice system.”

There is also word that the administration will investigate programs currently in place that have shown good results in helping young men of color improve. According to reports, President Obama has been planning the rollout of the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative since last summer.

The White House says an official report will be issued Thursday morning.

SEE ALSO: African Students Promote Continent Through Photo Campaign