Some of the biggest names in hip-hop have met with Barack Obama at The White House to discuss the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Guests included Nicki Minaj, Pusha T, Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, J Cole and Chance The Rapper among others. The initiative aims to keep young people out of the criminal justice system, with a focus on supporting local, grassroots programs.
Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Wale, Common and Janelle Monae were also in attendance at the White House talks. Chair of the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Broderick Johnson also sat in on the meeting, which indicates that the White House is serious about getting the input of many iconic figures in youth culture.
Just leaving the White House…I never got to go on my elementary school field trip there. Thanx for the invite @POTUS#MyBrothersKeeper
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) April 15, 2016
The My Brother’s Keeper initiative began in Feb 2014, so far raising more than half a billion US dollars in grants, and more than a billion in financing for programs designed to keep young people out of the criminal justice system. The money has gone towards six milestones for African American boys and young men: A healthy start, grade level reading by grade 3, college/career-ready at high school graduation, completing postsecondary training, entering the workforce and keeping young adults on track and giving them second chances.
Image: The White House