NYC Young Men's Initiative

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the educators who show up every day to guide, uplift, and inspire the next generation! 🍎📚

As the week comes to a close, the NYC Young Men's Initiative is celebrating the educators who have helped shape, guide, and inspire us throughout our lives, and team members are sharing reflections on their favorite teachers, as well as the lasting impact those educators had on them.

Through investments in programs like Literacy Leaders, Student Success Centers, NYC Men Teach—which is celebrating 10 years of impact this year, and more, YMI remains committed to supporting and uplifting educators who reflect, inspire, and empower the communities we serve.

Representation in education matters, and so does ensuring young people have mentors who see and believe in their potential.

Thank you to all the teachers across New York City and beyond for the care, dedication, and belief you pour into your students every single day!

Friday was more than a celebration, it was a launchpad!

Held on May 1, recognized as National College Decision Day, "College Signing Day" at City Hall Park marked a powerful moment for students across New York City committing to their futures.

The NYC Young Men's Initiative proudly partnered with NYC Her Future, the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, and NYC Public Schools to celebrate hundreds of NYC students taking the next step into college and post-secondary pathways.

From the moment students arrived, this was a day rooted in both joy and action. After a powerful opening program on the City Hall steps that included remarks from Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice, Afua Atta-Mensah, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, Sandra Escamilla-Davies, Executive Director of NYC Her Future, Nathifa Forde, Executive Director of the NYC Young Men's Initiative, Dr. Steven Chambers, 3 My Brother's/Sister's Keeper NYC Public Schools students, and more. Students celebrated their commitments, built out personalized college success plans, and connected directly with colleges, workforce programs, and community organizations.

Throughout the afternoon, young people engaged with mentors, explored career pathways, accessed admissions and financial aid guidance, and received real-time support on everything from housing to first-semester planning, all while celebrating alongside their peers, families, school communities and enjoying music and food trucks.

Because College Signing Day isn’t just about where students are going, it’s about how they get there.

This is what it looks like when a city invests in its young people: not just in their decisions, but in their success.

Congratulations to every student who showed up and took action, we’re with you every step of the way! 🎓

Today, the NYC Young Men's Initiative stands in solidarity with the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for Denim Day: a global call to challenge victim-blaming and support survivors of sexual violence.

This work requires all of us. Too often, conversations around sexual violence leave out the role that men—especially young men—can and must play. Visibility matters. When young men show up, speak out, and stand against harmful norms, it helps shift culture, break cycles of silence, and redefine what strength and accountability look like.

Denim isn’t just a fashion statement today—it’s a statement of belief, accountability, and respect. We’re committed to building a city where young people of all genders feel safe, heard, and empowered.

Yesterday, the NYC Young Men's Initiative joined NYC Men Teach, the Brooklyn College NYC Men Teach Program, students, and partners at the "Future EDU Summit: 10x Impact — Shaping What Comes Next" at Brooklyn College. A powerful day of conversation, the summit focused on the future of education and what it takes to build, support, and sustain the next generation of educators.

Featuring remarks and discussions from leaders across education throughout the day, participants explored critical topics including teacher retention, wellness and burnout, supporting multilingual learners, and creating equitable learning environments for all students. Keynote remarks were given by Prince Johnson, 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year and Brooklyn College alumnus.

At YMI, we remain committed to supporting pathways that empower young people, strengthen communities, and invest in the educators shaping the future of New York City.

On Tuesday, April 7, Executive Director Dr. Steven A. Chambers represented the NYC Young Men's Initiative and NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice as a panelist at the 2nd Annual Fatherhood Policy Symposium, hosted by the NYC Children's Cabinet and NYC Department of Youth and Community Development at Metropolitan College of New York, joining city leaders and partners to explore how New York City is turning its commitment to becoming a father-friendly city into real, on-the-ground impact.

The conversation highlighted cross-agency collaboration, innovative policy approaches, and the importance of designing systems that actively include fathers, particularly those navigating systemic barriers, as essential to family well-being. Dr. Chambers underscored YMI’s work to meet fathers where they are and invest in their full potential through initiatives like the CUNY Fatherhood Academy, which integrates education, career pathways, and parenting support.

As NYC continues to build momentum through coordinated strategies and partnerships, we remain committed to centering fathers as caregivers, partners, and leaders, because strengthening fathers means strengthening families and advancing equity across our city.

Thank you for having us!

Last night at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)'s Moot Court, the NYC Young Men's Initiative joined leaders and community voices to mark the 10th anniversary of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity!🎉

The panel featured Dr. Steven A. Chambers, Executive Director of the NYC Young Men's Initiative; Priya Nair, Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity; Dora Mendez, Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector Affiliate Practitioner; and was moderated by Maria D'Agostino, Ph.D., Professor at John Jay College (CUNY).

Together, we reflected on progress and helped shape what’s next for gender equity in the City of New York Government!

This , the NYC Young Men's Initiative celebrates the women across New York City who help drive this work forward every day: from the policy leaders shaping equitable systems to the educators, mentors, program staff, and community partners implementing programming across our neighborhoods.

While YMI focuses on expanding opportunities for young men and boys of color, we are proud to work alongside our companion office, NYC Her Future, which centers young women and girls of color. Women and girls are also active participants across YMI programs citywide. In fact, our programs are co-ed, including NYC Men Teach, which continues to see a growing number of young women identifying participants each year.

At YMI, uplifting the leadership and contributions of women is not limited to one month—it’s central to how we build stronger communities year-round. We’re grateful for the women whose leadership, expertise, and commitment help move this work forward across our city every day.

Join us next week for a conversation on advancing gender equity in New York City!

Leadership from the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice, including the NYC Young Men's Initiative and the NYC Commission on Gender Equity, will join the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector for an engaging panel discussion on the progress, challenges, and work ahead to advance gender equity.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences to help guide future gender equity work in NYC.

📆 Wednesday, March 18, 2026
⌚ 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 John Jay College
🔗 Register: https://on.nyc.gov/40WHu0f

🎂The NYC Commission on Gender Equity is celebrating its 10th anniversary! As part of this milestone, join CGE and the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector for an interactive and engaging panel to discuss progress, challenges, and the work ahead. The panel will feature gender equity leaders Priya Nair, Maria D’Agostino, Dora Mendez, and Steven Chambers.

👥Participants will also be able to share their experiences to help guide gender equity work in NYC.

📆Wednesday, March 18, 2026
⌚6:30-8 p.m.
📍John Jay College, 524 W 59th Street, New York, NY, 10019
🔗Register: jjay.cuny.edu/GEI