Dade Leaders Accept "My Brother's Keeper" Challenge
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Challenge issued, challenge accepted.
A call to action by President Obama for all communities to come together and develop plans to improve the lives of children has moved Miami-Dade leaders to action.
"Given this call to action, Miami-Dade County is happy to accept President Obama's "My brother's Keeper Community Challenge," said Mayor Carlos Gimenez at community summit on Friday to discuss what can done.
The "My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge" encourages community leaders across the nation to develop plans to create positive opportunities for all kids with a particular focus on "at-risk boys and young men of color."
"As a community we've called this forum today for every city to pledge that they will be a part of finding a solution to the problems our young people are facing today," said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
Problems such as violence hitting schools.
"I think I've said it many times, the level of carnage that we've witnessed in our community must and can be stopped if the community rallies together and develops solutions for what's happening in our streets," said Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
US Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. was so impressed by what Rep. Wilson has done with her 5000 Role Models of Excellence program that he decided to attend Miami-Dade's unprecedented event.
"It's inspiring to see the commitment across the community to the success of our young people, and certainly we have challenges across the country particularly for our young men and boys of color, and it's great to see this strong community come together," said King.
Community leaders and police departments vowed to work together and come up with solutions to make the county a better place for its children.
"It is very nice, I just hope it goes beyond the celebration. At some point we need to roll up our sleeves, get into the community, translate the words into deeds of action and actually save kids," said Carvalho.
Nearly 200 mayors and community leaders in 43 states have already accepted the president's challenge. However, Miami-Dade is the first to do so as a county.
