Rachel Silberstein is reporting for the Times Union the state Board of Regents January 11, unanimously chose Lester W. Young Jr. as chancellor, the board's first black chancellor since it was established in 1784. The Board of Regents is responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within the state, including the University and the state Education Department. As chancellor, Young will lead and serve as the board's presiding officer. He will assume his new role this week. Young has served as Regent at Large since he was first appointed by the state Legislature 2008. He has made creating opportunities “where every student can be successful” the guiding principle of his more than 50 years of public service. He helped establish the state My Brother’s Keeper initiative. The program was launched by President Barack Obama to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. New York is the only state in the country to have the My Brother’s Keeper initiative enacted into state law. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Interim Commissioner Rosa, the entire Education Department team, all New York state educators and, in particular, all of our families as we work to build more equitable and empowering futures for all New York’s students," Young said. He began his career with the New York City Department of Education as a teacher, guidance counselor, supervisor of special education, and principal. During his tenure as principal, PS 183 Brooklyn, was recognized as a School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and the state Education Department. Young also served as Assistant and Associate Commissioner with the state Education Department between from 1988 to 1993 and led the department’s efforts in New York City. Read the full story in the Times Union.