The White House is postponing the rollout of a new presidential initiative to boost opportunities for black men and boys because of an expected snow storm along the East Coast.

Obama was to have hosted an event Thursday at the White House to unveil his new “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, "taking action in partnership with foundations, businesses, and others to make sure that every young man of color who is willing to work hard and lift himself up has an opportunity to get ahead and reach his full potential."

In his State of the Union address last month, Obama said he was "reaching out to some of America's leading foundations and corporations on a new initiative to help more young men of color facing tough odds stay on track and reach their full potential.”

The White House had planned to invite foundation leaders, corporate executives, and community leaders to the East Room event to kick off the public-private partnership. But White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the White House is postponing the event "in an abundance of caution."

He said Obama was updated Wednesday on the "very complex weather pattern" expected across the southern United States through Thursday.

FEMA has activated its National Response Coordination Center in Washington, Carney said, along with a regional response coordination center in Atlanta. It will also activate a center in Philadelphia to coordinate requests for assistance from affected states.