After deadly weekend, Tulsa mentors say this could stop youth gun violence

Berthaddaeus Bailey is the managing director of My Brother’s Keeper Tulsa, a local chapter of the national initiative launched by President Barack Obama in 2014.

Since joining as the inaugural director in 2021, Bailey has focused on building safe, supportive communities that create clear pathways to opportunity for boys and young men of color. His work goes beyond mentorship, addressing systemic challenges in education, workforce development, and community safety through data-driven strategies and strong partnerships across Tulsa.

In this Q&A, Bailey shares insights on the program’s mission, the importance of mentorship, challenges faced by Tulsa’s youth, and how My Brother’s Keeper is working to create long-term change by engaging young men directly where they live, learn, and grow.

Q&A with Berthaddaeus Bailey, Managing Director, My Brother’s Keeper Tulsa

Q: What is My Brother’s Keeper Tulsa?

A: My Brother’s Keeper builds safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color, where they have clear pathways to opportunity. We support mentorship programs and any partner in our city that wants to help with education, workforce, and safety.

Q: How long has the program been running?

A: My Brother’s Keeper Tulsa has been running for the last four years. I joined as the inaugural director in 2021. The national organization was launched by President Barack Obama in 2014 and has been operating for over ten years.

Q: Is it mainly a mentorship program?

A: Many people think it’s just mentorship, but while mentorship is a component, we are really focused on addressing the systems impacting young men of color. We bring together Tulsa’s city, schools, and community organizations to develop solutions to these problems.

Q: What systems do you focus on?

A: We focus on pre-K enrollment, reading at grade level, high school graduation, post-secondary enrollment and completion, workforce participation, and safety — ensuring safe communities where young men’s voices lead strategies affecting them.

Q: How important is mentorship in your work?

A: Mentorship is very important. Since launching our mentorship program, we’ve seen increased school attendance, improved behavior with fewer referrals and suspensions, and better academic performance. Students in the program perform about half a letter grade higher than those who aren’t.

Q: Are there enough young men participating as mentees?

A: We have a significant number of mentees, but I want to see a more data-informed approach to target those at highest risk of violence, not just those who join regardless. We’re developing an index to use data to identify neighborhoods and school sites with the greatest need.

Q: How do you reach young men who are hesitant or hard to engage?

A: You don’t have to overthink it. One of our leaders said, “Just speak to them, notice them.” Engage them by being present at schools, parks, and neighborhoods. Play a pick-up basketball game. Don’t assume the worst based on appearances.

Q: How common are gang culture and gun violence in Tulsa?

A: Gang and gun violence are symptoms of deeper issues like economic neglect, housing instability, and food insecurity. When people lack basic needs, they sometimes make hard decisions that lead to crime. We have to address these root causes as a city.

Q: What are some benefits youth gain from My Brother’s Keeper programs?

A: We build brotherhood and safe spaces for young men to share daily struggles. We focus on leadership development — we want them to be future leaders, not just products of their environment. We provide exposure through experiential learning and pay them for their participation, investing in their voices.