MBKA youth explore leadership and culture in Brazil through global exchange

See how eight young men from Chicago and Newark gain leadership skills and cultural insight during MBKA's exchange program in Brazil.

On a rooftop, four young men with a range of medium and dark skin tones pose for a photo. They are all wearing navy suit jackets, khaki pants, and blue and khaki ties.

Since its 2014 inception, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance has remained committed to ensuring boys and young men of color reach their maximum potential. This spring, with support from Prudential Foundation, the MBK Alliance sent eight young men across the globe to Rio de Janeiro for a life-changing cultural exchange. Anchored to MBK’s fifth milestone—All youth out of school are employed—this experience broadened their scope of career pathways and deepened their understanding of leadership, identity, and the bonds that connect us across borders.

Eight young men with a range of light to dark skin tones walk along Ipanema Beach on the first day of a My Brother’s Keeper Alliance cultural exchange program in Rio de Janeiro.
Young men from the U.S. and Brazil walk together to Ipanema Beach on the first day of a My Brother’s Keeper Alliance cultural exchange program in Rio de Janeiro.
A wide shot of people with a range of light to dark skin tones at the Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
A young man with locs and a medium skin tone sits beside a man with a medium dark skin tone and locs. He is wearing a yellow spotted top.
Led by Cedaps - Centro de Promoção da Saúde’s facilitator, Juliano Pereira, the group gathers at Arpoador Beach for their first activity where the young men commit to a week of learning, vulnerability, joy, and curiosity.
Three men with medium skin tones sit at Arpoador Beach in lawn chairs. Two of the men are smiling.
The young men meet at Arpoador Beach for a moment of grounding before the journey ahead.
A group of young men from the U.S. and Brazil, all a range of light to dark skin tones, pose together at Ipanema Beach.
The group of young men from Chicago, Newark, and Rio de Janeiro pose together at Ipanema Beach.
Alt text Photo 1: A group of men with a range of light to dark skin tones ride up the Corcovado mountain in a bus. A red train is seen on the track ahead of them. Alt text Photo 2: A young man with a light skin tone stares up at Christ the Redeemer. He is wearing a hat and “I Am My Brother’s Keeper” hoodie. Clouds are gray in the background. Alt text Photo 3: A low angle shot of Christ the Redeemer. The sky is gray and cloudy.
A train ride up the Corcovado mountain to see Christ the Redeemer on the second morning of their visit in Rio de Janeiro.
A landscape view of a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. The street is full of colorful pastel buildings and cars.
A man with a medium skin tone speaks into a microphone. He is surrounded by five others, men and women, with a range of light and dark skin tones.
A visit to the Instituto de Cidadania da Unidos da Tijuca in the Borel favela, where MBK participants joined a roundtable with youth from Cedaps’ Jovens Construtores. Together, they shared stories and perspectives on life in the favela, the power of community leadership, and navigating adversity.
A large group of young men with a range of light to dark skin tones sit and stand around a table as they make brigadeiros—a beloved chocolate treat.
At the Instituto de Cidadania da Unidos da Tijuca, the group got a sweet taste of Brazilian culture by making brigadeiros—a beloved chocolate treat.
A close up of a dark skin hand dipping brigadeiros into powdered sugar.
A close-up captures the process of making brigadeiros—Brazil’s beloved chocolate treat.
Four young men with a range of light and dark skin tones walk the ‘Little Africa’ neighborhood as they share stories, laughter, and music via their phone translator.
As they walk through Rio de Janeiro’s historic ‘Little Africa’ neighborhood the young men deepen their connection through the unifying experience of the African diaspora and the lasting effects of systemic barriers on people of African descent. They also swap music, laughter, and stories—bridging language barriers with a blend of Spanish, English, Portuguese, and a little help from their phone translator.
Alt text Photo 1: A mural honoring Afro-Brazilian poet Conceição Evaristo is on the side of a building. Alt text Photo 2: One participant with a medium skin tone reaches for an avocado tree, Alt text Photo 3: A portrait of a young man with a dark skin tone. He is looking towards the sky and is wearing a white tank and black headphones around his neck. A pastel mural is in the background.
During a guided tour of Rio’s “Little Africa,” the young men explored historic landmarks, visited museums, and admired local street art—like this mural honoring Afro-Brazilian poet Conceição Evaristo (top right). One participant reaches for an avocado tree, struck by the lush greenery woven throughout the city.
“The Power of Women in Samba” exhibit at the Mangueira’s Samba Museum features portraits, colorful figurines and pottery.
The Mangueira’s Samba Museum featuring “The Power of Women in Samba” exhibit.
Six men with a range of medium to dark skin tones stand in a semi circle playing the drums.
Music and dance, especially one rooted in African tradition, creates another connection for the young men. The young men come together for a samba dance and drumming class led by instructors from the renowned Estação Primeira de Mangueira samba school.
Eight men with a range of light and dark skin tones stand around the"Funk: A Cry for Boldness and Freedom" exhibition at the Rio Museum of Art.
The "Funk: A Cry for Boldness and Freedom" exhibition at the Rio Museum of Art
A dozen young men with a range of light to dark skin tones touch the Baobab tree, at Cais do Valongo—the largest slave trade site in Rio. This tree stands as a symbol of resistance, at the site where many people were trafficked and enslaved.
A moment beneath the Baobab tree, at Cais do Valongo—the largest slave trade site in Rio. This tree stands as a symbol of resistance, at the site where many people were trafficked and enslaved.
A small note with handwriting in Portuguese sits on the lap of a young man with a dark skin tone. The note translates in English to, “We are brothers, even though we come from different countries. We share the same struggles, and the hardship made me realize that...Despite the obstacles, we must join forces to continue the fight."
A note written by one of the young men during an exchange activity that translates, “We are brothers, even though we come from different countries. We share the same struggles, and the hardship made me realize that...Despite the obstacles, we must join forces to continue the fight."
Eight men with a range of light to dark skin tones sit in a circle with Brazilian actor and author Lázaro Ramos. All men are smiling.
A visit to Cedaps for a conversation circle with Brazilian actor and author Lázaro Ramos. Ramos shared insights from his life and career, discussing success and inspiring the young men to recognize their worth and embrace their own achievements.
Eight young men with a range of light to dark skin tones take a dip in the ocean at Copacabana Beach.
The group shares a joyful morning swim in the ocean at Copacabana Beach. Bonding over new experiences gave way for deep brotherhood.
Alt text Photo 1: On a rooftop, four young men with a range of medium and dark skin tones pose for a photo. They are all wearing navy suit jackets, khaki pants, and blue and khaki ties. Alt text Photo 2: Two young men with light skin tones pose for a photo. Both are wearing suits. They are standing in front of a blue door. Alt text Photo 3: A close up of a man with a dark skin tone pinning a young man with a dark skin tone. He is wearing a navy suit and navy polka dot tie and handkerchief.
The young men prepare to visit the Prudential Financial offices, sponsors of the trip, in downtown Rio for a meeting with company executives.
Two young men with medium skin tones sit at a conference table. They are both dressed professionally. A view of Rio’s skyline is in the background.
A view of Rio's skyline from Prudential Financial’s office in downtown Rio.
Alt text Photo 1: An exterior shot of the Vasco da Gama soccer stadium. Alt text Photo 2: A young man with a dark skin tone takes a selfie inside the Vasco da Gama soccer stadium. He is wearing an orange hat and sunglasses. Alt text Photo 3: A group of men with a range of medium and dark skin tones sit inside the Vasco da Gama soccer stadium.
The youth took a visit to the Vasco da Gama soccer stadium, where the club was one of the first in Rio to embrace Black players, promoting racial inclusion in Brazilian football.
A woman with a medium skin tone sings at a live music venue in Rio de Janeiro's historic Lapa neighborhood.
An evening at Rio Scenarium, a live music venue in Rio de Janeiro's historic Lapa neighborhood.
Four young men with light and medium skin tones dance at a live music venue in Rio de Janeiro's historic Lapa neighborhood.
Four young men dance at a live music venue in Rio’s historic Lapa neighborhood.
At dusk, a view of the cable car that transports visitors to Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. A group of people and the cable car is in the foreground and Sugarloaf Mountain is in the background.
People wait for the cable car that transports visitors to the summit of Sugarload Mountain.
At sunset, a landscape view of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. Water is in the foreground and the city is in the background.
A view of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro.
Participants embrace in a group hug on the final day of the cultural exchange program. All are a range of light to dark skin tones.
As brothers, the participants embrace after the last group activity with a promise for lifelong friendship and support in their individual journeys.

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A young man with a deep skin tone wearing a gray hoodie and black jacket smiles toward the camera. There are other men and young men around him with deep skin tones. We see the sky slightly above their heads.

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A boy with a medium skin tone grabs a certificate from a man with a medium skin tone. More young men with a range of light to dark skin tones are lined and blurred in the background.

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