about us
Our Mission
Our Goals and Objectives
Co-Founders
Core Brothers
Chad Lassiter
Brian Rogers
Will Little
Shareef Ward
William Brauner
Joey Zaza
Mark Baxter
Marc Lamont Hill
Baba Renfro
Norm Bond
Suliman Raqman
Damon Roberts
Reverend Jackman
Membership Goal
(Our membership goal is to register 1 million men who support the Brothers For Barack mission statement)
- Education – The education goal of Brothers for Barack is to establish political education classes in every state in the US, and to form a foundation that is dedicated to teaching the Brothers For Barack curriculum and agenda.
- Mentoring- Brothers For Barack members are committed you mentoring at least one young man in the area of electoral politics.
- Voter Registration- Voter registration is key to participating in the political process. Through registering to vote, this allows us to participate in voting for elected officials
- Raise Money- Financing campaigns can be very expensive. Brothers for Barack are committed to raising funds and resources to support our mission. Members and supporters are encouraged to make donations. All funds will be spent of advancing the platform, agenda, and mission of Brothers For Barack.
- Recruit- recruiting other men is vital to advancing the agenda and mission of Brothers For Barack. Brothers For Brothers encourages all who support our mission to refer men to our website, events, and classes.
- Recruit to Run-developing our next generations of leaders is key to carrying on the legacy of the many great brothers who have been elected officials and political leaders over the last two centuries. Brothers For Barack is committed to building a pipeline of talented, visionary progressive leadership, BRB recruits, trains, mentors and connects emerging political leaders in our target states who are dedicated to reshaping politics in their region.
Mission Statement
Brothers For Barack is the name given to the men who have come together for the purpose of increasing the participation of black men involved in the political process. We are determined to increase voter registration amongst black men, recruit young black men to run for political office, to increase voter turnout of and to politically educate black men, and to raise funds and provide the necessary resources needed to support black male elected officials and aspiring politicians who represent the Brothers For Barack change agenda.
We are an organization that seeks to enfranchise, politically activate, empower and inform. We encourage all people to be politically empowered. We simply are taking full responsibility for ourselves by taking action to address the disproportionate number of black men who traditionally do not take part in the process and to be the voice of the 1.5 million or more who have lost their rights to participate as a result of their court adjudicated status, current or past.
The ultimate goal of Brothers For Barackis to politically empower black men. We are committed to creating political awareness amongst the disenfranchised and underrepresented black men who have lost faith in the political system and those who have never been made aware of the importance of participating in the political process through affecting issues and shaping public policies. We are activists, artists, clergy, educators, politicians, blue collar and white-collar workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, unemployed, sons, fathers, brothers and men that simply care. We originated in Philadelphia PA, the city of Brotherly Love, along with Brothers from across the country who have united to build a political agenda reflective of the change, needs, interests, and experiences of people from all over the United States.
Brothers For Barack and the change movement have come of age during a unique set of social and historical circumstances. Too many of us have experienced firsthand the trafficking of drugs and violence in our neighborhoods, rampant police violence and corruption, failing educational systems, mass imprisonment, political corruption and mismanagement, widespread unemployment and economic decay, and electoral fraud. We also face the epidemic of HIV and AIDS among the weakest and most vulnerable members of our communities. Brothers For Barack aspires to politicize such issues among our peers and bring them to the forefront of a contemporary movement for social justice.
Brothers For Barack bears witness to the triumphs of our elders, who led and sustained the Black Power movement, as well as the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements. But we’ve also lived through the shortcomings of ill-conceived, poorly implemented, or failed policies due to decisions made by people who were supposed to represent us.
As empowered citizens, we will now take a bold step forward by promoting a political empowerment movement and a voter mobilization campaign to rally around a progressive social agenda that represents the priorities, perspectives and political aspirations of our generation. This initiative will enable black men to recognize our political power, get out the vote on Election Day, and meet and coordinate with others already engaged in social uplift in communities across the nation.
Founding Brothers
Kenyatta Johnson
Kenyatta began his career in Public Advocacy and Government while attending Mansfield University. After, taking a Political Science 101 class Kenyatta begin to understand the strategic and critical importance of political advocacy and public policy and how it can be used as a powerful tool in improving conditions of Urban Neighborhoods.
Already, a member of the Black Students Union, Kenyatta increased his involvement in campus activities, serving as the Chair of the Committee on Finance, President of the Student Government Association, and Chair of the Board of Student Governors Presidents.
As President of Student Government Association and Chair, of the BSGP, Kenyatta advocated for funding for the (14) universities within the State System of Higher Education, leading students in the advocacy process for affordable education.
While a student at Mansfield University, Kenyatta attended the Congressman Chaka Fattah Graduate Opportunities Conference funded by the President's Office. After attending the conference, Kenyatta decided to further his education and attended the University of Pennsylvania Fels Center of Government, where he received a Masters Degree in Government Administration.
Kenyatta's passion for community advocacy and public policy continued to develop during his internship for a member of the House of in the 186th District of South Philadelphia, within the neighborhood in which he grew up and still lives. This internship focused on Juvenile Justice and Crime & Violence Prevention Public Policy. Kenyatta served as a Legislative Aide for Youth Development and Community Outreach.
Some of the community work Kenyatta has been involved with include: the Americorps National School and Community Corps. As a Corps Member, he worked with students in the Philadelphia Public School System and the Americorps City Year Program as s Team Leader over a diverse group of young adults ages 17-24 years old, who performed community service though civic engagement projects throughout the city of Philadelphia.
However, struck with the tragedy of violence plaguing Kenyatta's neighborhood, he created Peace Not Guns Inc., a Violence Prevention program that addresses the senseless acts of violence that are taking the lives of many young adults, especially, young black and Latino males.
Through Peace Not Guns Inc., he engages in the Annual Peace Not Guns Unity and Prayer Rally, Youth Empowerment Forums, and Community Partnerships with other Not for Profits organizations and Civic Leaders.
Most recently, Kenyatta worked as the Public Safety and Community Outreach Liaison for State Senator Anthony H. Williams of Philadelphia where he concentrated on issues of crime, violence, youth empowerment, and public safety. In 2006, he completed the Governing for Non Profit Excellence program at the Harvard School of Business that focuses on board leadership and development and strategic planning and performance management of Non Profits. He serves on various community boards such as the NEEEDS Scholarship Board, Vice Chair-Christian Street YMCA, and the YMCA Early Head Start Policy Council, Point Breeze Community Development Coalition, Young America PAC, and a member Prince Hall Masons-Sheba Lodge #7 and Demolay Consistory
Will Mega
Will Mega is “Born to Serve, and Prepared to Lead!” He is a “mega” achiever in his professional, personal and political aspirations. He is founder of The Men of Wynnefield a men’s non-profit organization with a mission to empower the men of the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. In 2006-2007 he has served as the Director of Field Operations for democratic primary City Council winner Curtis Jones Jr. He also served as Director of Field Operations for Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Alan Sandals in 2005-2006. He is the president of Will Mega and Associates, email marketing, government relations and political field operations firm. His passion to empower young adults led him to creating the Hip Hop Agenda, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on politically empowering young voters. Hip Hop Agenda, Inc. partnered with P Diddy’s Citizen Change – Vote or Die campaign and organized over 10,000 college students in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh during the 2004 Presidential election. For his leadership and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts he received the 2004 Voice and Opportunity through Elections Community Service Award. He also co-founded the National Political Hip Hop Convention held in 2004 in Newark, NJ with over 6000 participants 18-35 year olds attending from across the country. In 2003, Will Mega ran for Philadelphia City Council becoming the youngest candidate to run for that office and receiving the Mayor’s 2003 Influential Leadership Torchbearer Award. He has been involved in politics since he was nine years old when Curtis Jones, Jr., now president of Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation recruited him to mobilize young people in the community and work on the successful campaigns of then State Representatives, Congressman Chaka Fattah and State Senator Vincent Hughes.
He currently serves as the Director of Membership for The Rainmakers, Inc. an African-American young professional organization focused on leveraging a professional network of resources in order to empower professionals in economics, education, and politics. He led the Rainmakers recent black literature campaign - Literacy ONE that tackles the literacy problem and targets grade school students across the city. He has always been committed to giving back to the community and has worked in the social service and behavioral health management field, counseling youth for over ten years. Mega is a recipient of the 2005 Hon. Lucien E. Blackwell community service award and Mayor’s citation. In February 2005 he appeared in the Philadelphia Tribune special edition magazine as one of Philadelphia’s Most Influential African-Americans under the age of 40 to watch. As a former violence prevention consultant, he taught junior high and high school students conflict resolution and self-esteem skills for the non-profit organization, Men United for a Better Philadelphia.
Mega’s national exposure began when he appeared in 2000 on the first season of the reality television show, Big Brother. From that he was able to leverage his acting career and speaking engagements with guest appearances on many TV and radio programs including; The Early Show with Bryan Gumble, BET Nightly News with Ed Gordon, Tavis Smiley Show, CNN’s Showbiz Today, Entertainment Tonight, Howard Stern Show, Queen Latifah Show, Sally Jessie Raphael Show, NPR, and The Tom Joyner Show. His most recent appearance was on the big screen in the movie, Like Mike starring Bow Wow and Morris Chestnut.
Whether pursuing his professional, personal or political goals he is dedicated to positive change. He lives in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia and is the proud father of his son Kasai. He is a human service professional and political strategist by professional with a graduate degree from Lincoln University with Masters of Human Services.
Core Brothers
Chad Lassiter
Chad Dion Lassiter is nationally recognized in the fields of American race relations and violence prevention among African American males. He has worked with resilient and vulnerable families, youth, and communities as they experience normal developmental transitions in challenging environments. Chad Dion Lassiter’s research interest attempts to contribute to a more informed analysis of the diverse ways that adolescents and families, especially people of color cope with socioeconomic challenges and institutional racism. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Social Work where he was the “A. Phillip Randolph Award” winner (2001).
Mr. Lassiter was chosen by Ebony magazine as one of the “Young Leaders of the Future Under 30” in February, 2003. In May of 2004, Mr. Lassiter was named “Who’s Who Among African Americans 17th edition” along with such notables as Colin Powell and Michael Jordan. He is a former research fellow at the W.E.B. Du Bois Collective Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, where he worked on two nationally successful research projects (P.L.A.A.Y.- Preventing Long-term Anger and Aggression in Youth) and (H.I.P.P.- Health Information Providers and Promoters). He was named 2005 Philadelphia’s Most Influential African Americans “10 People Under 40 to Watch In 2005” by the Philadelphia Tribune.
In September of 2007, to celebrate the 75th year anniversary of the Philadelphia Eagles, he was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles and Dunkin Donuts as one of “The 75 Greatest Living Philadelphians”. Mr. Lassiter is one of the co-founders and current president of the Black Men at Penn School of Social Work, Inc. which seeks to recruit black males into the profession of social work as well as providing anti racism and violence prevention trainings to urban and suburban schools. He has worked on race, peace and poverty related issues both in Africa and Israel. Presently, he is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice where he is the 2008 recipient of the “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Involvement Award” for faculty and a researcher at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Brian Rogers
Will Little
Shareef Ward
William Brauner
Joey Zaza
Mark Baxter
Marc Lamont Hill
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is one of the youngest members of the growing body of “Hip-Hop Intellectuals” in the country. His work, which covers topics such as hip-hop culture, politics, sexuality, and education, and religion, has appeared in numerous journals, magazines, books, and anthologies. Dr. Hill has lectured widely and provides regular commentary for media outlets like the Washington Post, New York Times, Essence Magazine, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, CourtTV, and Fox News. His award-winning daily blog is updated on his website, www.MarcLamontHill.com.
Since his days as a youth in Philadelphia, Dr. Hill has been a social justice activist and organizer. He is a founding board member of My5th, a non-profit organization devoted to educating youth about their legal rights and responsibilities. Dr. Hill also works closely with the ACLU Drug Reform Project, focusing on drug informant policy. In addition to his political work, Dr. Hill continues to work directly with African American and Latino youth. In 2001, he started a literacy project that uses hip-hop culture to increase school engagement and reading skills among high school students. He also continues to organize and teach adult literacy courses for high school dropouts in Philadelphia and Camden. In 2005, Ebony Magazine named him one of America's top 30 Black leaders under 30 years old.
Dr. Hill is the author of the forthcoming book Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop, Pedagogy, and the Politics of Identity and the co-editor of Media, Learning, and Sites of Possibility. He is currently completing You Ain't Heard It From Me: Snitching, Rumors and the Politics of Other People's Business in Hip-Hop America and the Anthropology of Education Reader.
Dr. Hill is Assistant Professor of Urban Education and American Studies at Temple University. He is also an affiliated faculty member in Anthropology. Trained as an anthropologist of education, he holds a Ph.D. (with distinction) from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Hill’s research focuses on the intersections between youth culture, identity, and educational processes. He is particularly interested in locating various sites of possibility for identity work, resistance, and knowledge production outside of formal schooling contexts. Particular sites of inquiry include hip-hop culture, urban (street) fiction, and African American bookstores.
Baba Renfro
Norm Bond
Suliman Raqman
Damon Roberts
Damon K. Roberts is your neighbor at 17th and Reed Streets in South Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife, Arline Rosario Roberts, and their eight-year old son Cualyn.
You might remember that, out of concern for Philadelphia’s youth, Damon led successful demonstrations against Clear Channel to get rid of obscene radio deejays Star and Buc Wild. If you’re in the neighborhood, he might knock on your door or you
might see him around raising awareness about the high school dropout crisis, the out-of-control homicide rate in our area, or about the overwhelming trash on the streets. If you live in the Second Council District in Philadelphia, he is your next City Councilman.
The oldest of five children, Damon K. Roberts was born in Guyana, South America in 1970 and moved to Brooklyn, New York at the age of fourteen years old. He grew up playing cricket in the streets of Georgetown, Guyana. As a Boy Scout, he represented
Guyana in Scout Jamborees in Brazil and Suriname.
His parents divorced as a teenager, and they moved to New York City. With children in tow, his mother worked two jobs and went back to college. She reminded them that education was a way out of poverty and the welfare they initially experienced in the United States. It was at this time that many of his deepest convictions for helping the poor were formed. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, where he started his student leadership as President of the 4,900 strong student body.
He was a varsity athlete on the City Championship Track Team, and went on to compete in college. In 2006, he competed in the Broad Street Run, the Bar Association Charity Run and the Dash for Democracy. In 2004, he ran the Philadelphia Marathon. Damon Roberts is a cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where he wrote a summa cum laude thesis in his Sociology and African American Studies double major. He served as President of the Caribbean Students Association and was Founder and President of the Boston Caribbean Coalition of Students. At Harvard, Damon was an advocate for the homeless. He won awards for public speaking, performed in plays, competed on the track and rugby teams, taught bible study groups, toured with the Kuumba Singers and was a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist.
Before going to law school, Damon taught High School Global History in Harlem, New York. In addition to teaching, he coached track and field, producing state championship sprinters and a relay team that placed second in the National Championships. In the evening, he worked towards a Masters Degree from Teachers’ College, Columbia University in Comparative and International Education with a focus on Politics. At Teachers’ College, he served as President of the Black Student Network and a Senator in the Student Government.
At Howard University School of Law, Damon served as President of the Graduate Students Association, overseeing the 12 student governments for the 2,500 professional and graduate students at Howard University. After passing the Pennsylvania Bar Examination, Mr. Roberts was a part of the inaugural class of the Mayor’s Honors Attorneys program at the City of Philadelphia Law Department under the leadership of former City Solicitor Nelson Diaz. At the law Department, he helped to reduce auto insurance and dangerous chemical emissions in the City. In the intense 2003 Philadelphia mayoral election, Damon served as Assistant Campaign Manager in Mayor John F. Street’s victorious campaign. He subsequently served as Committee Coordinator in the Mayor’s 21st Century Review Forum. In this capacity, he analyzed the Administration’s Education and Child Welfare Policy, the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, the Safe Streets Program, and the City’s Tax Structure and recommended changes for the Mayor’s second term.
For the last three years, Damon has been committed to serving Philadelphia’s poor, working as Community Liaison for the 45,000 residents and 5,100 landlords in the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. As Community
Liaison, he was chair of the Landlord Tenant Advisory Council, was administrator of over 80 hearings per month and he personally handled some 3000 complaints/issues per year. Every day, he negotiated to keep tenants off the streets, advocated on behalf of landlords, or represented PHA’s substantial economic investment in the program. After the Housing Choice Voucher Program faced severe political opposition in Philadelphia, Mr. Roberts helped to change the face of the program by helping to raise the program’s public image and PHA’s quality of service to the poor.
Damon was the 2004-2005 President of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, a professional organization representing the interests of over 1,200 African American attorneys in the Philadelphia area. Under Damon’s leadership, the organization’s
focus was increasing its service to low income African Americans in Philadelphia by giving free legal clinics, more scholarships and quadrupled the turkey baskets given to fixed income Seniors for Thanksgiving.
As Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Legal Line, Damon recruited several law firms, legal associations and bar associations to assist in providing free over-the-phone consultations to the general public. Elected to the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association, he served as Co-Chair of the Resolutions Committee. The award-winning Young Lawyer’s Division Minority Scholarship was Damon’s brainchild. Among other things, the Resolutions Committee has been responsible for introducing a Young Lawyer Division minority scholarship, having fees waived for first year attorneys and forbearing student loans for newly admitted public interest attorneys. He also sat on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Judicial Commission for Selection and Retention. He has consistently challenged both Philadelphia large law firms and the Philadelphia Bar Association to be more diverse.
He is the outgoing Community Outreach Director for the Philadelphia Young Democrats, the Leader of South Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, a 2006 fellow in the Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) and Chair of Philadelphia’s Social Action Committee (SAC). Damon was presented one of the “10 people under 40 to watch” awards by the Philadelphia Tribune. He has also been recognized by the American Lawyer Media/ Legal Intelligencer as a “Lawyer on the Fast Track.” He is an active member of the Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ, serving as a worship leader in the Music Ministry.