Congressman Johnson Appointed To U.S. Commission On The Social Status of Black Men & Boys

Commission’s Mission To Explore Conditions, Propose Solutions To Alleviate and Remedy Underlying Causes of Obstacles Facing Black Men & Boys

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that he has been appointed to the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (CSSBMB), which was created by law in August 2020. It resides within the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR).

He attended his first meeting with the Commission this week entitled: “Preventing Crime in the Black Community.”

“Throughout the history of America, Black men and boys have been impacted by social disparities that adversely influence our collective ability to contribute positively to society,” said Congressman Johnson. “I am proud to have been asked to serve along with others on the CSSBMB, which will report on the current conditions affecting Black men and boys and make recommendations to improve the social conditions that impact our ability to more fully participate in the advancement of American society.”

“Congressman Johnson has been a leading example of Black excellence in his community and across the country,” said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), who chairs the commission. “He has served as an inspiration to countless Black men and boys, and I have had the privilege to work with him on countless occasions in fighting for racial justice and Black Men and Boys. He is even working on establishing a 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program—a program dedicated to breaking the school-to-prison pipeline—in his school district. His insight, especially on his tireless work on gun violence, will be a valuable addition to the commission. I am excited to welcome him to the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.”

The CSSBMB investigates potential civil rights violations affecting Black males and studies the disparities they experience in education, criminal justice, health, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, and violence. The CSSBMB also produces an annual report to address the current conditions affecting Black men and boys and makes recommendations to improve the social conditions and provide vital guidance for Congress on effective strategies to reduce the racial disparities in education, criminal justice, health, and employment.

The bipartisan, 19-member Commission includes congressional lawmakers, executive branch appointees, issue experts, activists, and other stakeholders who will examine social disparities affecting Black men and boys in America.

Based on its findings, the commission issues policy recommendations to Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. The bipartisan, bicameral Caucus on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, which Congresswoman Frederica Wilson of Florida founded and co-chairs, creates legislation to implement those recommendations.

For more on the CSSBMB, click HERE.

###