When thinking of all of the words that could be used to describe Brotherhood Sister Sol, “sanctuary” may be the most fitting. In a world where inequalities and injustices run rampant, BroSis prides itself on not only making space for Black and Latinx youth, but also empowering them to change the world, too.
“We were responding to levels of inequality and violence in our city, in Harlem specifically,” said Khary Lazarre-White, the co-founder and executive director of BroSis. Lazarre-White founded BroSis in 1994 when he was 21 alongside his lifelong friend, Jason Warwin, while both were students at Brown University.
“We felt a need to create a structure and support system, and space of guidance, education, and love, for young men to make different decisions and be supported to build long-term strong lives.”
BroSis has steadily grown over the years into a comprehensive nonprofit social justice organization that works at the intersection of educating young people, organizing for justice and training its participants to advance BroSis’ mission. BroSis calls those in its program “members” because of the lifelong bond they share together. Gisela Rosa, an alumna of BroSis, explained what this is like in practice.
“It’s a space where you’re supposed to grow. You go in there as a seed or a little flower, and all they’re doing is giving you all the resources that you need to grow… these people will really hold it down for you no matter what. They make you feel seen.”