Breaking Barriers is an initiative of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable’s Boys and Men of Color that is aimed at accelerating positive outcomes for boys and young men of color across the cradle-to-career continuum.

 

The Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable includes more than 30 community leaders from public, private, nonprofits and faith institutions convened to advance racial equity and promote the change required to accelerate a shared regional prosperity. The vision of opportunity for all Buffalo residents is outlined in report entitled The Racial Equity Dividend: Buffalo's Great Opportunity.

 

In partnership with the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable, the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools, and Say Yes Buffalo, “Breaking Barriers” will expand the capacity of boys and young men of color to improve life outcomes and empower them to become agents of change in our community. Areas of focus may include: early childhood; college access and readiness; career pathways and economic opportunity; and criminal justice and public safety.

 

A tenet of the “Breaking Barriers” movement is the Youth Leadership Council that will elevate youth voice to advocate for social justice, racial equity and policy change in our community. The ultimate mission of the MBK-Boys and Men of Color initiative is to strengthen and improve life outcomes for young males of color in the greater Buffalo community.