FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026
CONTACT: Sara Bellafronte, Assistant to the City Manager
sbellafronte@pittsburgca.gov or (925) 252-4109
My Brother’s Keeper-certified Community, Pittsburg, Awards Youth Scholarships
On May 18, 2026 the Pittsburg City Council received a presentation announcing scholarships awarded to seven Pittsburg high school seniors continuing their education journey. In early 2026 the Pittsburg City Council meeting where the Council unanimously approved a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a $25,000 grant from The Barack Obama Foundation to support the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Pittsburg Initiative, focused on improving post-secondary education and workforce outcomes for boys and young men of color in Pittsburg.
Launched nationally in 2014 by President Barack Obama, My Brother’s Keeper was created to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and to ensure all young people can reach their full potential. Locally, the City of Pittsburg has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to this work, including adoption of the Youth and Young Adult Services Master Plan in 2022 and a joint resolution with the Pittsburg Unified School District to address opportunity gaps experienced by young men and women of color. Most notably, in October 2023, MBK Pittsburg became a Certified Community with the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance after completing a rigorous process to assess local challenges, build cross-sector partnerships, and develop a community-driven action plan.
Of the total grant accepted, $5,000 were awarded at the April 21, 2026 Pittsburg High School Local Scholarship Night as scholarships for young men and women of color from Pittsburg High School pursuing postsecondary education and/or workforce training opportunities. One hundred forty-seven students applied for the scholarship, 25 finalists were reviewed blindly by a community committee, and the recipients and their chosen educational institutions are as follows:
- Amirat Aganju
- Marc Adriel Duldulao
- Josue Rodriguez
- Andres Flores
- Oswaldo Mendoza
- Nepali Palomino
- William Edgar Tumang
While students of color in Pittsburg graduate from high school at rates exceeding the state average, local data reveal persistent postsecondary and workforce gaps. Only about 30 percent enroll in community college, many do not meet UC/CSU eligibility requirements, and unemployment rates remain disproportionately high.
“The Pittsburg City Council is intentional about creating real pathways to higher education, jobs, and long-term success,” said Mayor Dionne Adams. “This grant and these scholarships build on work already underway and help ensure our youth of color, especially boys and young men, have access to mentorship and opportunities that improve academic achievement, increase career readiness, and lead to meaningful jobs—today and for generations to come.”
The grant represents a relatively small investment, but the City of Pittsburg views it as an important catalyst with the potential to deliver meaningful outcomes and lay the groundwork for expanding the MBK Pittsburg Initiative upon the success of this initial outward-facing effort.
