My Brother's Keeper

An MBK participant cutting a vegetable during a culinary class with two instructors watching — thumbnail_image-3.png

MBK participants posing at a professional workshop — image-1.png

MBK participants posing with Mayor Dyer in front of a community garden — thumbnail_image.png

My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) is a national initiative launched in 2014 to support the success of young men by addressing challenges that may hinder their personal and professional growth.

The City of Orlando adopted the program the same year, established MBK Orlando to provide targeted mentoring, educational support, and career development opportunities to those who need it most. MBK Orlando focuses on improving life outcomes by fostering academic achievement, leadership skills, and workforce readiness. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, the program ensures that young men have access to the resources, guidance, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.

My Brother's Keeper Services

Sponsor My Brother’s Keeper

Support MBK Orlando to create lasting, positive change.

Goals

Increase school attendance and grade-to-grade transition
Decrease behavioral referrals, suspensions and expulsions
Decrease juvenile justice involvement
Increase career exposure and employment opportunities

Program Overview

MBK Orlando serves students in five OCPS middle schools: Carver, Memorial, College Park, Roberto Clemente, OCPS ACE, and two OCPS high schools: Jones and Edgewater.

Participants receive in-school and out-of-school support including individual and group mentoring sessions and evidence-based curriculum led by Lead Student Advocates. Advocates develop positive relationships with youth and work closely with parents to identify needs and challenges and empower them to succeed.

MBK Orlando partners with several non-profit organizations to collectively provide programs that enhance character and career development.

Staff

Bobby Belton, Program Manager
bobby.belton@orlando.gov

Kirk Malcolm, Program Supervisor
kirk.malcolm@orlando.gov

Brandon Joiner, Lead Student Advocate, OCPS ACE
brandon.joiner@orlando.gov

Deyonte Henderson, Lead Student Advocate, Carver Middle School
deyonte.henderson@orlando.gov

Wendell Coates, Lead Student Advocate, College Park Middle School
wendell.coates@orlando.gov

Aaron Thompson-Petty, Lead Student Advocate, Memorial Middle School
aaron.thompson-petty@orlando.gov

Elliott Cohen, Lead Student Advocate, Roberto Clemente Middle School
elliott.cohen@orlando.gov

Kirk Malcolm, Lead Student Advocate (Interim), Edgewater High School
kirk.malcolm@orlando.gov

Austin Long, Lead Student Advocate, Jones High School
austin.long@orlando.gov

Emma Lakomiak, Program Staff Assistant
emma.lakomiak@orlando.gov