WS Chronicle

Event features Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ mentoring program

Chronicle Staff Report

The Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity will host “My Brother’s Keeper Community Day: Our Male Mentoring Project” on Saturday, Sept. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. at Diggs Memorial United Holy Church, 125 North Graham Ave., at

the intersection of Graham Avenue and First Street in Winston-Salem.

The theme will be, “From the Cradle, to College, to Career.”

Sponsors for this event are Mayor Allen Joines, Superintendent Dr. Beverly Emory, Chief Barry Rountree and the Winston-Salem Police Department and U.S. Rep. Alma Adams.

My Brother’s Keeper is a male mentoring program created by President Barack Obama to ensure assistance and opportunities for young people and mainly young black males through foundations, businesses and cities.

Pastor Lamonte Williams of Diggs Memorial said Tuesday, Sept. 8, that the Ministers’ Conference is undertaking the program to help young black males in the community. He said the ministers are asking young black males from all over Winston-Salem to attend the event Saturday so that they eventually can be a part of the program. The males must register to participate.

The program consists of six steps: getting a healthy start and entering school ready to learn; reading at grade level by third grade; graduating from high school ready for college and career; completing post-secondary education or training; successfully entering the workforce; and keeping kids on track and giving them second chances.

The Community Day will have outdoor live gospel music and will be selling food such as candy apples, snow cones, hot dogs and more.

There will be free haircuts, sport physicals, a clothes drive, health and dental screenings and a kid’s zone area.

For more information, vendor inquiries, and registration of the male mentoring project, contact Williams at 336-528-4570.