In this 12-minute video produced by Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and Bard College for the Open Society University Network (OSUN), CEO & Co-Founder Dariel Vasquez reflects on how his undergraduate journey shaped the creation of our organization’s flagship Brothers@Bard program while he was a student, and how Brothers@ implements its model—through forming partnerships with colleges and universities—to increase the retention and graduation rates of young men of color (YMOC) in both secondary and post-secondary education.

The Daily Freeman — Brothers at Bard has been named as one of 38 recipients in the NBA Foundation’s announcement of new grants totaling $11 million to help create employment opportunities, further career advancement, and drive greater economic empowerment for Black youth.

The recipients were selected as part of the NBA Foundation’s fourth grant round during the league’s Season of Giving, a five-week celebration during the holiday season when the NBA gives back by supporting and uplifting youth, families, and organizations across the country.

Bard College — “Brothers@ is excited to partner with Artsy on Higher Power, featuring some of this generation's most prominent artists of color. Together, we are providing a platform to showcase artists who are not traditionally recognized by the mainstream for their influence in the art world. Brothers@ is thrilled to be part of this cutting-edge endeavor,” said Vasquez.

Curated by rising star K.O. Nnamdie—recently featured in New York Observer’s “Arts Power/50” issue—the auction features works by 15 artists who have lent their support to Brothers@’s mission through their participation. By leveraging the collective platforms, this auction marks a unique opportunity for collectors and artists alike to support the next generation of men of color to enter, shape, and lead the future of the art world.

“Higher Power speaks to the many points of entry into my diasporic experience; a collective connection to ancestry. This selection of works features potent moments of resilience, uprise, and ultimately triumph,” says K.O. Nnamdie.

In the midst of the 2020 global pandemic, waves of nation-wide protests prompting urgent and frank conversations about race and social justice in this country. As COVID-19 exacerbated systemic inequalities, the opportunity gaps faced by young people across the country widened at an alarming rate—and yet, 2020 also gave rise to creative problem solving and nimble decision making like never before.

This conversation explores the unique position of youth development and mentorship in communities of color in a post-COVID world; and how the growing movement in defense of Black lives is affecting inclusion amongst young people trying to successfully navigate and thrive in predominantly white institutions and spaces.

More information on our panelists can be found here.

To watch a recording of this event, click the button below.

NY Daily News — Actor Brandon Micheal Hall is doing his part for a good cause. The actor from TV’s “The Mayor” and “God Friended Me” will be part of a panel Thursday called “Closing Opportunity Gaps for Young Men of Color: The State of Mentorship and Youth Development Post 2020.” It is hosted by Brothers@, an organization dedicated to the uplifting of young Black men.

Open Society University Network (OSUN) — This year’s [conference] theme, “Learning Resiliency and Unity Beyond Borders,” was particularly apt, as the conference took place remotely for the second year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite interactions being limited to Zoom sessions, student leaders and innovators still managed to strengthen connections among their colleagues, all who work with community partners to develop solutions to local and international challenges.

Bard College — “It has been gratifying to see Brothers@ flourish at Bard, home to their flagship program,” said Bard College President Leon Botstein. “The group’s achievements over the past six years on the Bard campus and at neighboring Kingston High School, which include mentoring students and helping to increase graduation rates among young men of color, demonstrate an impressive sense dedication and an innovative spirit.”

Chronogram — March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which was established in 1966 when the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

Hudson Valley 360 — “Presented by Peace One Day in association with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the live broadcast gathers internationally acclaimed artists, actors, and prominent speakers to raise awareness of Anti-Racism Day, facilitate conversations that lead to a more diverse and inclusive world, set out action points to help individuals and organizations engage with anti-racism, and establish the link between the March 21 Anti-Racism Day and September 21 Peace Day, demonstrating that anti-racism is an essential requirement for peace.”

Peace One Day — Dariel Vasquez, representing Bard College, is participating in the Anti-Racism Live Global Digital Experience.

NY1 Local News — “Everyone is trying to figure out, 'How do we get more young men of color to graduate college who come from neighborhoods like this?'" he says. "And we kind of stumbled upon that answer and put them in front of the room and have them lead.”

Metropolitan Museum of Art — We’re taking this opportunity to celebrate the Black art and identities that have been crucial in shaping art history for years—and will continue to shape it for many more to come. Here are just five of the many stories of Black art, culture, and history interwoven throughout The Met collection.

The 730 Podcast — Dariel Vasquez and Harry A. Johnson Jr. join 730 to discuss their journeys and what prompted them to form Brothers@ – a youth mentorship program for young men of color – they founded while undergraduate students at Bard College.

Metropolitan Museum of Art — “That could be me.” Executive director of Brothers@, Dariel Vasquez, never felt welcome at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, even though he grew up in nearby Harlem. His first visit to the Met was on a Bard class trip for a Northern Renaissance Art course with Teju Cole. Seeing the confidence and enthusiasm of Professor Cole, a fellow Black man, at the front of the class transformed the discomfort he felt into a sense of belonging. Vasquez was interviewed for the Met’s 150th anniversary “Met Stories” series.

The Bardian — “We decided to create an institutional culture of serious, thoughtful and nonpartisan engagement in the world,” President Leon Botstein told the New York Times in 2011, when CCE was established. That culture has grown tremendously over the last decade in Annandale and internationally.”

Bard College — Brothers at Bard co-founders and Class of 2017 alumni Harry Johnson and Dariel Vasquez have been named among the 40 Under 40 Movers and Shakers by the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce. The awards are given annually to 40 individuals under the age of 40 who have shown a strong commitment to the Hudson Valley. The awards ceremony, which is open to the public, is a celebration of these individuals and their accomplishments.

Bard College — On Tuesday, February 4, esteemed filmmakers Charles Burnett, Julie Dash, and Bradford Young will take part in a discussion at Bard College exploring their career trajectories, works, creative processes, and commitments to the humanities. The conversation will be moderated by Tabetha Ewing ’89, Social Studies Division chair and associate professor of Historical Studies, and Dariel Vasquez ’17, director of program design and management at Brothers@Bard (BAB). It takes place from 6–8 p.m. in Olin Auditorium (Olin Hall) and is free and open to the public.

Brothers@ — Writing this letter is the most incredible and overwhelming feeling I’ve had throughout this journey. I’ve been in the clouds — rejoicing in everything my brothers and I have been able to accomplish for ourselves and our families — and yet, none of it has felt as real as it does at this very moment.

Bard College — On Friday, May 10, the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard College welcomed more than 50 community partners to a Thank You Breakfast. Local organizers, school administrators, business owners, and legislators gathered at the historic Blithewood Manor for a catered buffet.

Hudson Valley Press — Brothers at Bard (BAB) has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation to support their academic enrichment mentoring program for young men of color from underserved backgrounds.

The Dissonance — It was this go-getter mentality and aspiration that has helped shape what Brothers at Bard (BAB) is today. Harry Johnson ’17 and Dariel Vasquez ’17, the founders of BAB, began from humble beginnings as two students of color acclimating to Bard with a unique vision, which has flourished into the intricate, blooming network and organization that BAB is today.

Chronogram — After the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and rise of the national #BlackLivesMatter movement, TMI Project spent five years planning to take action the way they know best: by telling stories. TMI Project hosted the first #BlackStoriesMatter performance last year in Kingston. People took the stage to tell their truth about being black, discussing issues of racism, gentrification, media representation, and so on. This year, TMI Project is partnering with Bard College's student-service organization, BRAVE, to present an encore live storytelling experience on April 4 at 7pm at Bard College.

Bard College Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) — Three years ago, Brothers at Bard (BAB) was a mere idea. Thanks to hard work and a three-year NYS Department of Education grant called “My Brother’s Keeper,” it has become a transformative project for young men of color at Kingston High School and at Bard College. BAB founder, Dariel Vasquez, graduated in spring and is now a Project Coordinator at the Center for Civic Engagement.

Bard College Athletics — Harry Johnson spent a lot of his time as a student at Bard College trying to make an impact. He mentored local underprivileged youths through the Dream to Achieve program. He co-founded Brothers at Bard, creating a safe place for men of color at Bard to discuss issues only they could understand. He earned praise and national recognition for his efforts, including being one of just 10 student-athletes nationwide to be named to the Allstate Good Works Team.

The Daily Freeman — As part of the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, the Kingston school district has received a $450,000 grant from the state Education Department for family and community engagement programs, the district said Friday … The district, in a press release, said the three-year grant “will support programs to increase the academic achievement and college and career readiness of boys and young men of color, while fostering the development of effective relationships with families to promote the success of all students.”