History
Twenty years from The Brotherhood at Smoky Hill (2006) to MBSK Colorado (2026)
History
Twenty years from The Brotherhood at Smoky Hill (2006) to MBSK Colorado (2026)
2026 marks 20 years of continuous work—from The Brotherhood at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora (2006) to today's statewide backbone role as My Brother's and Sister's Keeper Colorado (MBSK Colorado).
What began as peer mentorship and teacher-referral supports grew into a Colorado coalition aligned with the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper framework. We address persistent opportunity gaps for Black and Brown youth by strengthening coordination across fragmented systems—not only by adding more programs.
What Stayed Constant
- Peer and adult mentorship that changes trajectories through relationships, accountability, and identity-affirming community
- A focus on academics and measurable results—participation, engagement, and achievement
- School-based support combined with civic engagement, partnerships, and advocacy
Our Journey
- 2005–2006
The Brotherhood at Smoky Hill
Educator Jeremy Gee, building on a San Diego peer-mentoring model, convened African American male students at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora. In November 2006, a staff memo documented early mentoring and teacher referrals of 9th–10th graders showing potential who needed guidance and encouragement.
- 2008
School-Based Programming Takes Root
Weekly meetings, study sessions, and leadership development expanded. Organizational materials reference signature activities including a summit at Smoky Hill and a Career Night for area students. The inaugural chapter reported meaningful GPA gains among members.
- 2009–2010
Expansion and the Feeder Pipeline
The Brotherhood expanded to a neighboring high school, then launched middle and elementary chapters to build a feeder pathway into high school programs and nonprofit support for chapters.
- 2011
Transition and Renewal
After a key advisor departed and many founding students graduated, leadership rebuilt infrastructure and strengthened chapter operations for renewed growth.
- 2014
My Brother's Keeper Launched Nationally
President Barack Obama launched the My Brother's Keeper initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color—creating a national framework Colorado would later champion at the state level.
- 2016
Advocacy and Multiple Chapters
Program materials described multiple active chapters and an Advocate for The Brotherhood posture—community, legal, and legislative advocacy to support students and partner districts.
- 2019
Statewide MBK Community Challenge
The Brotherhood issued a public declaration leading the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge in Colorado—building toward an inclusive statewide alliance and broader stakeholder engagement.
- 2020
MBSK Colorado and the State Action Plan
The organization rebranded under My Brother's and Sister's Keeper Colorado and developed a statewide action plan with a Shared Model for Change and an Alliance Leadership Cabinet.
- 2026
Statewide Backbone Operations
MBSK Colorado operates as a statewide backbone—continuing flagship Brotherhood and Sisterhood school programs while building coordination infrastructure, including Engage-aligned case management and partner workflows, to reduce fragmentation and strengthen shared accountability.
20 Years of Continuity—and a Strategic Inflection Point
From a 2006 Smoky Hill staff memo to today's statewide coalition, MBSK Colorado combines long-term credibility with modern coordination infrastructure. Join us in moving Colorado from fragmented success stories to sustained statewide impact.
Get Involved Our Mission & Values
Building Bonds
The Brotherhood works closely with local schools, universities, and organizations to close the achievement gap, advance the economy and culture of Colorado’s African American community.
Learn More