The B.R.O. Experience Foundation, founded in 2020 by Barry Cooper, stands as a beacon of hope and transformation for young Black and Brown boys in Brooklyn. Recognized this year as a recipient of the 2026 Brooklyn Org Spark Prize, the foundation is dedicated to creating spaces for healing, mentorship, and emotional growth, filling a critical gap in a community severely impacted by isolation and crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The acronym B.R.O. stands for Brothers Redefining Opportunity, embodying the organization’s mission to redefine community support for boys who often feel unseen and misunderstood. Cooper, a former dean and director of coaching, has long been involved in educational and youth engagement initiatives. He founded the B.R.O. Experience after witnessing the struggles of young men grapple with societal expectations and institutional apathy.
“If you think about the genetic makeup of New York City, for the most part, it is tenement buildings or housing developments that make up most of our Black and Brown communities,” Cooper explained. This context underscored the necessity for dedicated spaces where young men could reclaim their identity and boyhood amidst the challenges of their environments.
Cooper’s vision for The B.R.O. Experience Foundation emerged from a genuine desire to create a “utopia” — a space where young boys can feel supported and free to navigate their emotional landscapes without judgment. During a time when crime and distrust among youth escalated, Cooper recognized the need for a sanctuary dedicated to mental health and emotional resilience.
Built on a foundation of cognitive behavioral therapy, The B.R.O. Experience offers programs and mentorship opportunities for Black and Latino young men from neighborhoods such as Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, and Bushwick. The organization employs a trauma-informed approach to help participants cultivate emotional resilience and develop essential leadership skills.
At the heart of these initiatives is the BRO Space Wellness Center, a spacious 4,500-square-foot facility that serves as the hub for various activities, including guided discussions, mentorship events, and engaging workshops. The center encourages young men to explore their identities, understand social dynamics, and build resilience as they tackle emotional difficulties. “Our nucleus, and what makes us unique, is how we fuse cognitive behavioral therapy with critical consciousness,” Cooper shared.
The organization offers an array of programs aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges facing young men. Initiatives like the “BRO” Project support individuals aged 18 to 24 who are justice-impacted or have left school without graduating. For younger participants, the “Right of Passage” program guides boys aged 13 to 18, while the “Little BRO” summer camp engages elementary students. Additionally, the “Daddy and Me Project” assists young fathers in honing their parenting skills through practical CBT applications for emotional and financial stability.
Cooper explained, “When you look at what we do, we run the gamut of the school-to-prison pipeline conversation,” highlighting the organization’s proactive stance in addressing issues before they escalate into crises. In 2025, The B.R.O. Experience Foundation supported over 250 young men, equipping them with tools to manage setbacks and express their feelings constructively.
In addition to in-person programming, the foundation launched a digital platform, BeWellBro.org, designed to support the mental health and emotional well-being of young boys and men of color aged 13 and older. This online resource offers articles, videos, and tools curated by BIPOC mental health professionals, catering to those who prefer or require remote engagement.
As The B.R.O. Experience Foundation gains recognition, Cooper expressed excitement about winning the Spark Prize — an acknowledgment of the organization’s commitment to advancing equity and racial justice. The honor not only validates the work being done but also reinforces the notion that investing in the future of young Black and Brown men is a communal responsibility. “They’re often the ones we see in negative headlines, yet they don’t need to be that way; it’s all about providing them with growth spaces,” Cooper affirmed.
This ethos shapes the foundation’s mission: to cultivate a thriving environment where young men of color can embark on their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment. As The B.R.O. Experience Foundation continues to evolve, its impact resonates, inspiring change not only within individual lives but also in the fabric of the community at large.
