On Father’s Day, the Oprah Winfrey Network, along with Discovery Channel, will simulcast a documentary featuring President Barack Obama entitled Rise: The Promise of My Brother’s Keeper.
The documentary explores the lives and families of boys and young men of color from four programs around the U.S. that are living the principles of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.
Directed by Dawn Porter, the film also addresses Obama’s challenge to cities and towns to encourage coherent cradle-to-college-and-career strategies for improving the life outcomes of all young people, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances into which they were born.
President Obama shares his own personal experiences as a young man as well as his motivation for and commitment to the My Brother’s Keeper initiative during an interview taped May 18. He also discusses the goals of the initiative, which include ensuring all youth complete their post-secondary education and training and are employed once they’re out of school.
“As President Obama has made abundantly clear, now more than ever we need to change the narrative in this country around boys and young men of color,” said John Hoffman, Executive Vice President of Documentaries and Specials for Discovery Channel. “Dawn Porter’s artful storytelling serves as a powerful testament to the vital importance that strong communities, involved families, and dedicated educators all play in ensuring that all of our children have an equal chance at success.”
Be sure to check out Rise: The Promise of My Brother’s Keeper Sunday at 7/6c on OWN and Discovery.