July 26, 2008
Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release
June 12, 2007
  en Español

Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150

Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Announces New Initiatives

~ Subcommittees formed to delve into economic, education, and health issues ~


ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys met in conjunction with the 22nd National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community on May 30, 2007, at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.

“It was a logical decision for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to meet during the National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community. I look forward to receiving meaningful recommendations from the Council which address health, education, and economic issues of black men and boys which will ultimately help identify crime prevention initiatives,” said Attorney General Bill McCollum.

The subcommittees on improving economic, education and health outcomes convened prior to the full Council meeting to discuss research strategies and issues to be addressed in the annual report due to the Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House on December 15, 2007. Chairman Levi Williams stressed the importance of community support in the efforts to raise awareness about the socio-economic conditions affecting black men and boys in the state of Florida.

"The Council is committed to developing dynamic recommendations to change the social paradigms in education, health, and economics and to improve the overall well-being of this population through long-term committed efforts in the legislature and individual communities throughout Florida,” Levi Williams said.

The public input segment had representation from throughout Florida, Texas and even North Carolina. Participants expressed hope for the outcomes and implementation of outcomes through the Council’s recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Members of the public also articulated specific problems in the Panhandle of Florida limiting the educational and economic success of black men and boys.

During the meetings, the Council voted to form a new subcommittee on Improving Foster Care and Families. Christopher Norwood, the Vice-Chair of the Council, will chair the new subcommittee. All subcommittees will meet and work over the summer months and a full Council meeting will be scheduled in August. The Council welcomes all public and private support and participation in identifying the causes affecting the success of black men and boys and developing bold solutions to the problems. The Council also welcomed input from the public and elected officials who share in the vision of making a material difference in the lives of black men and boys.

The Council will also be developing a website which will include its statutory authority, mission statement, council members’ directory, news releases and links to many resources valuable to its mission.

The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is housed in the Office of the Attorney General. Created by the Legislature during the 2006 Legislative Session, the Council is charged with making a systematic study of the conditions affecting black men and boys including homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rate, poverty, violence, drug abuse, death rates, disparate annual income levels, health issues and school performance. The goal of the Council is to propose measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of the conditions described above. These measures may consist of changes to the law or systematic changes that can be implemented without legislative action. The Council encourages you to contact us with your input at the following contact information:

Fredrica Doctor
Research and Training Specialist for the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs
Office of Attorney General
PL-01 The Capitol
850.414.3370
Fax No. 850.413.0633
Tallahassee, Florida 33299 - 1050
fredrica.doctor@myfloridalegal.com