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Fostering a healing space for young men of color in Bed-Stuy

Winner

Barry Cooper

Fostering a healing space for young men of color in Bed-Stuy

Website

thebroexperience.org

Year

2025

Organization

The BRO Experience Foundation

Sector

Education

Borough

Brooklyn

Barry fosters a healing space for young men of color in Bed-Stuy through space, connection, and care.

Growing up in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Barry Cooper, known as “Coach Coop,” understood that young men of color are often viewed as hypermasculine and dangerous. …
Read winner story

Publication

CBS News

In Brooklyn, cognitive behavioral therapy is helping young men redefine masculinity

By Hannah Kliger
April 24, 2026
There's an effort in Brooklyn aiming to redefine masculinity, using vulnerability, therapy and brotherhood to reach young men of color through structured emotional support and creative expression…

Publication

Brooklyn Paper

2026 Spark Prize spotlight: The B.R.O. Experience Foundation redefines brotherhood for young men in Brooklyn

By Gabriele Holtermann
February 17, 2026
When Barry Cooper launched The B.R.O. Experience Foundation in 2020, he set out to create something he felt was missing for young Black and Brown boys in Brooklyn: a dedicated space for healing, emotional growth and…
“I love the fact that I didn't have to leave my community to be successful, which oftentimes in the Black community, that is what is told to us”

Publication

Afro News

Brooklyn nonprofit launches new digital mental health platform

The B.R.O. Experience Foundation
May 17, 2025
In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, The B.R.O. Experience Foundation has announced the launch of Be Well Bro, a multimedia website and information platform created to support the mental health and emotional well-…

Publication

Pix11

New Yorkers vie for $200K grants to build NYC’s future

By Monica Morales
From education, healthcare, mental wellness, and the arts, two dozen New Yorkers are vying for $200,000 in grants to build New York City’s future. Barry Cooper, one of the finalists, is recognized as a first responder in cr…

Update from winner

Exciting Insights from the Future of Brooklyn Youth Development Panel
thebroexperiencefoundationMay 15, 2025
🌟 Exciting Insights from the Future of Brooklyn Youth Development Panel! 🌟

We were honored to have our Executive Director, Barry Cooper, join a thought-provoking discussion produced by @bklynorg alongside @dr.jocrainey Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President & CEO, and Joanne N Smith, Founder & President of Girls for Gender Equity. @ggenyc
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black male teens and young adults

Source: National Library of Medicine

Publication

NY1

B.R.O. Experience founder talks impact on Brooklyn community

BY CHERYL WILLS AND DANA PEREZ
December 14, 2026
Barry Cooper, founder of the B.R.O. Experience Foundation, talked about starting the nonprofit in 2020 to provide healing spaces for young men of color. He says the B.R.O. Experience uses cognitive behavior therapy to…
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