A day after President Obama visited St. Paul, the city's mayor is in Washington, D.C. to help the president unveil a new initiative.

Mayor Chris Coleman will be at the White House today for the formal launch of Obama's "My Brother's Keeper," a plan to pave a pathway to success for more young black and Hispanic males.

With the help of businesses, foundations and nonprofits, Obama hopes to address disparities in education, criminal justice and employment. According to the White House, groups have invested $150 million in the program with plans invest another $200 million over the next five years.

"It's so much a part of all the work that we're doing to close the achievement gap and really creating economic opportunity for all of our youth," Coleman said.

"It's absolutely critical that we look at all ways to fight the challenges that we face."

The White House invited Coleman and Democratic U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison to the event.

Obama visited St. Paul's Union Depot on Wednesday to unveil his four-year $302 billion roads and railways plan.

Coleman joked that the back-to-back visits constitute a "home and home series."