After retiring from manufacturing, Gene Brown found a new calling- leading the Portage County chapter of My Brother’s Keeper, a national initiative launched by President Obama to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color. With a focus on mentorship, education, and opportunity, Brown is guiding MBK’s local efforts through tutoring at Ravenna High School, summer reading programs, and mentorship partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters. His six core goals span from kindergarten readiness to career success, ensuring consistent support for youth at every stage. Programs like Book a Pizza reward reading with pizza, movie tickets, and a sense of accomplishment, helping kids develop literacy skills and build confidence, all while having fun.
Through the support of Axess Family Services and a growing list of community partners from the NAACP to local entrepreneurs, MBK is providing young men with resources and relationships they can trust. Business owner Jermaine Justice, once a high school dropout himself, now sponsors reading rewards and dreams of funding scholarships. As Brown puts it, the goal is simple but vital: “to prepare them for the real world, whether it’s work, college, or a job.” With the help of mentors, teachers, volunteers, and donors, MBK is offering more than just programs, it’s offering hope, visibility, and a pathway forward.
