ABOUT

History

The Brotherhood/Sister Sol, or Bro/Sis (as members and staff affectionately shorten the name), was established in 1994 to offer supportive programs for Black and Latino youth in impoverished communities. Co-Founders and childhood friends Jason Warwin and Khary Lazarre-White founded The Brotherhood when they were seniors at Brown University on the Southside of Providence at the John Hope Community Center. They recognized the obstacles young men face growing up in poverty, and they believed that the creation of a strong, supportive community could help youth overcome challenges of circumstance and succeed in life. They brought their innovative and successful youth development model to New York City in 1995 and began working with about 45 young men in two public schools - one of the schools was Jason's former high school, Central Park East in East Harlem.

In 1998, Dr. Susan Wilcox came on board as a third Co-Director, joining Jason and Khary in the Directors Circle, the leadership team which provides our organizational vision and echoes the organization's core ideals: community, collaboration and equity. Under Susan's guidance, the organization expanded to include programs for young women and was renamed The Brotherhood/Sister Sol.

In 2003, Susan stepped down from the Directors Circle to become our Educational Consultant. In July 2004, long time staff member Cidra Sebastien joined the Directors Circle as the Associate Director. Susan returned in January 2006 as Co-Director and oversees Spread the Word, our community outreach program, which includes the Liberating Voices Liberating Minds Institute and book series.

As of July 2006, Jason is on leave from Bro/Sis and Cidra, Khary and Susan currently form the Directors Circle.