NEW YORK – New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor Kamar Samuels today announced the launch of the Chancellor’s ERA Leadership Initiative, a first-of-its-kind mentorship program that will bring together a dedicated cohort of East River Academy (ERA) students at Rikers Island for a leadership experience guided directly by the Chancellor and other male community leaders. The announcement follows his attendance at ERA’s graduation ceremony, where 57 graduates earned their high school diplomas or GEDs.

Modeled after the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, the ERA Leadership Initiative responds to what ERA students themselves have asked for – access to individuals who can make a real difference in their lives and communities. The initiative will launch next year with a pilot cohort of 10 NYCPS mentors and 10 student mentees, with a student leadership council that will meet regularly with Chancellor Samuels to engage in honest conversations about real change within the ERA educational program. 

“When I met Elijah, one of the graduates who chose to step up and pour back into his community as a peer mentor, I was reminded of why this work matters so deeply,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Our students at East River Academy have shown extraordinary resilience, and this initiative ensures that more students have access to a structured space to develop their voices, foster meaningful relationships, and grow into leaders that can impact positive change. I am proud to be personally committed to this initiative, and look forward to learning from our students just as much as they will learn from us.”

 This initiative creates a structured platform for students to share their voices, collaborate across programs, and develop practical solutions that strengthen the educational experience at ERA. Through direct mentorship with Chancellor Samuels, participating students will build deeper communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills to prepare them for confident civic engagement and participation in their academic programs. 

The Chancellor’s ERA Leadership Initiative reflects NYCPS’s broader commitment to expanding opportunity and fostering student agency across all communities, including those in alternative educational settings. The goal is to cultivate empowered student leaders who can advocate for themselves, their peers, and their communities. East River Academy, located in District 79, provides high school diploma and GED programming to students at Rikers Island correctional facility and is part of a growing network of educational services designed to support personal growth, rehabilitation, and long-term success.