City Of Bloomington's Commission On The Status Of Black Males Releases Annual Report

City Of Bloomington's Commission On The Status Of Black Males Releases Annual Report

Date of Record: March 13, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2006

For more information, contact:
David Hummons, Chair, Commission on the Status of Black Males, 855-8286
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources Department, 349-3471
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington's Commission on the Status of Black Males has released its annual report upon completion of its fifth year of service. The commission made significant progress during 2005 with new activities and several ongoing initiatives.

Among the commission's achievements:

Members of the commission, among others, provided input for a study conducted by the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) Human Understanding and Diversity Forum. The forum issued recommendations regarding school corporation policy and procedure to MCCSC Superintendent of Schools John Maloy and other MCCSC staff in December 2005.

Commission members continued to address employment issues and support the goals of the community's Racial Justice Task Force. Additionally, the commission worked with Mayor Mark Kruzan and City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department to rename Ninth Street Park in honor of the late Reverend Ernest D. Butler in June 2005.

The commission also participated in the Seventh Annual African American Male National Conference in Indianapolis. Members presented workshops to conference attendees on the topic, "Developing a Local Commission: Best Practices."

Many guests attended commission meetings during 2005, including representatives from the Monroe County Council, MCCSC, Monroe County Racial Justice Task Force, Indiana University School of Education, Community Justice and Mediation Center, and the City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Program.

The commission concluded 2005 by creating a new award to be presented annually during Black History Month. The award recognizes and affirms young African American males in the Bloomington community. Deputy Mayor James McNamara presented the first recipient, Matthew Herndon, with the award at the Black History Month Gala.

The Commission on the Status of Black Males was created to address problems faced by African American males in the areas of health, employment, criminal justice and education.

Commission members for 2005 include Chairperson David Hummons, William Knox, Larry Brown, Cedric Harris, Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Genevieve Williamson, George W. Tardy, Jr. and Craig Brenner, Staff Liaison from the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department.

For detailed information on the activities of the commission and a complete copy of the annual report, please visit the City's web site at [www.bloomington.in.gov/cfrd|http://www.bloomington.in.gov/cfrd].

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