Middle schoolers complete a program aiming to prepare them for high school and beyond.

Seventh and Eighth graders who completed the My Brother's Keeper Program received a certificate.

From Summer to Fall, students attended events every Saturday afternoon, visited Washington DC and local colleges.

Events highlighted leadership development and academic success.

"Make sure that they set the vision for their life at a very high level,” said Strategic Alignment and Innovation Chief David Mauricio. “Sometimes our young men of color don't always see examples of positive outlook in their life, but this is an opportunity for us to build that in a very strong way."

The state provided $2.3 million in funding for this program since 2016.