In this episode Dr. Hettie V. Williams interviews Mario Rodrigues of My Brother’s Keeper 617 a grassroots organization that is centered in Boston, Massachusetts dedicated to the uplift of young men of color. Williams is the current Director of the William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture at UMass Boston. Rodrigues is one of six founders of My Brother’s Keeper 617. The 617 is representative of the Boston area code. Rodrigues is candid here about his own involvement with gang activity in the city of Boston, and how he came into contact with positive mentors who played an important role in putting him on a new and more positive path in life. My Brother’s Keeper 617 was founded in 2014 and it is a multifaceted organization focused on supporting young men of color in Boston by combating violence, drug use, and self-destructive behaviors—all in an effort to create a, “safe and more nurturing environment for the young generation.” The organization does this by providing mentorship, vocational training, recreational opportunities, and professional guidance. My Brother’s Keeper 617 has helped hundreds of young men in the city of Boston over nearly a decade through educational, jobs training, and recreational programs. It is a fundamentally critical grassroots initiative in the city of Boston. For more about this organization and their work click here: My Brother's Keeper