'My Brother's Keeper' funds beat expectations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even more money than expected has been committed to President Barack Obama's initiative aimed at helping young men of color, White House officals said Thursday.

One year after the program began, more than $300 million in grants and in-kind resources have been independently committed to Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" initiative, said Broderick Johnson, chair of the My Brother's Keeper task force.

The original foundations and private groups who allied with the My Brother's Keeper program back in February 2014 had pledged $200 million, with the additional money coming from newer allies like AT&T and the National Basketball Association.

Under the initiative, businesses, foundations and community groups coordinate investments to come up with or support programs that help young men of color. Administration officials say nearly 200 mayors, tribal leaders, and county executives across 43 states and the District of Columbia are participating in "My Brother's Keeper" programs.

Obama, who kicked off the program in February 2014, plans to talk about some of the program's achievements on Friday while in Columbia, South Carolina, one of the first cities to adopt the initiative.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide