(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The My Brother’s Keeper program inspired U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), to leave her work as a principal in a public school to run for a political office to help young Black men succeed. “I was wondering why these young Black boys were always acting up,” the representative said. “I realized later that these boys had no fathers or grandfathers in their lives.”

Wilson said she was determined to do something about it and launched a political career that took her from Miami’s school board to representing South Florida on Capitol Hill. Wilson was joined by her colleagues, Reps. Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.) and Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), in voicing support for “My Brother’s Keeper.”

The braintrust for “My Brother’s Keeper,” President Obama’s initiative designed to help with the problems that young Black males face, drew hundreds of attendees at the 44th Annual Legislative Conference for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Sept. 26 at the Washington Convention Center in Northwest. The braintrust featured a panel of 14 speakers including scholars, community activists, and leaders of non-profit organizations that deal with the problems of Black males.

Broderick Johnson, the chairman of the “My Brother’s Keeper” task force and Jim Shelton, its executive director, both said that the Obama administration is committed to positively shaping the lives of young Black males and is pleased with the response the initiative has gotten from the public and private sectors.

Horsford, who comes from the Las Vegas metropolitan area, specifically called out a group of young Black men from Miami’s Coral Park High School in the audience. These young men wore white dress shirts, red ties and black pants and shoes.

“I came from your situation and we love you and we want you to succeed,” he said. Horsford, raised by a single mother who struggled with drug addiction, said he lost his father to gun violence.  The Rev. Al Sharpton said he came from similar circumstances and that young Black men should strive for a better life. “I may be responsible for you getting down but it is your responsibility for getting up,” he said. “I encourage Black men not to accept being down.”

The need for young Black males to be nurtured and emboldened was stressed by the braintrust’s speakers. “Black males are not used to being loved,” said Howard Jean, who used to be employed by the “Call Me Mister” program at Cheney University. “They are not used to being approached in a loving way and we need to change that.”

Professional athletes are popular role models for young Black men and two former National Basketball Association players, Etan Thomas and Allan Houston, participated in the braintrust.

Houston, who is the assistant general manager for the New York Knicks, said that this organization will work with Obama’s initiative and encouraged the audience to get involved in helping young Black males.

“Everyone has the capacity to lead and to mentor,” Houston said. “We need to lead them and teach them good values. They watch us as adults and we have to be good examples for them.”

One of the most moving parts of the braintrust took place when the parents of slain Black males had the chance to speak to the audience. Participants included Valerie Bell, mother of Sean Bell; Michael J. Brown Sr., and Lesley McSpadden, the parents of Michael Brown Jr.; Queen Brown, mother of Eviton Brown; Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; as well as Robbie Tolan of the Tolan Foundation.

Queen Brown, participant, said that the one common thread among the slain Black males was there physical size. “Black men who are big are feared and should be loved,” Queen Brown said.

Valerie Bell addressed the young men from Coral Park and told them to keep striving. “We may have lost our sons but our justice is being here today,” she said. “Don’t give up your dream.”