Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges has hired two advisers on youth issues.

The new hires, Angela Watts and Phillipe Cunningham, will work “to bolster the work her administration has done to improve early childhood education, education across the city, and youth development,” the mayor’s office said.

Watts will be the mayor’s senior policy aide on early childhood education and youth development, and work to bring “together different sectors to implement the Mayor’s Cradle to K initiative.”

Cunningham will be senior policy aide for education and youth success. He’ll address “racial disparities and closing the achievement gap for youth in Minneapolis. He will also be working on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative,” the mayor’s office said.

Hodges said of the two: “I know that to achieve our goal of improving life outcomes for the city’s youth, we need the very brightest and most dedicated people. I am thankful that Angela and Phillipe have chosen to be a part of my team and know that their contributions will benefit all of Minneapolis.”