Commission on the Status of Black Males

The Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) was established in 2001. The Commission's purpose and duties include:

• To develop action committees addressing problems of Black males in the areas of Education, Health, Criminal Justice, and Employment;
• To serve as a catalyst to promote positive public and private remedies to the multi-faceted problems confronting Black males in our community and the resulting effects on the entire community;
• To organize and convene community forums and neighborhood-based focus groups to discuss the status of Black males;

• To network with groups with similar missions, such as the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, the African American National Council, and local commissions throughout the state, sharing ideas, information, data and plans.

   

Statutory Authority: BMC 2.23.070

All meetings are held in the Hooker Conference Room #245, at City Hall at Showers Plaza, 401 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, Indiana, on the Second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. (Dates and meeting rooms are subject to change)

Upcoming Events:

Winter Wonderland Toy Drive

The Banneker Community Center and the Commission on the Status of Black Males are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-15 to help spread holiday cheer.

Donations can be dropped off between Monday, November 2 and Friday, December 4 at Bloomington's City Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., in the atrium or in the Community and Family Resources Department (Suite 260)

Donations will be distributed to families on Saturday, December 12, during the Winter Wonderland event at the Banneker Community Center. Drop in for a photo with Santa, and celebrate the holiday season with plenty of games and activities. This event is free to attend. 

Questions can be directed to the City of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department at (812)349-3430 or at [email protected]. 

• We are looking for the following new, unwrapped items: 
• Dolls
• Action figures
• Games/board games
• LEGO sets
• Toy trucks and cars
• Crafting kits
• Science kits
• Educational toys
• Balls/sports related toys
• Age-appropriate makeup sets
• Popular character playsets
   

Initiatives:

Outstanding Leaders of Tomorrow

• The Outstanding Black Male and Woman Leaders of Tomorrow awards are presented annually at the Black History Month Gala to two high school and two adult recipients for outstanding leadership, scholarship, and involvement in making meaningful contributions to the Bloomington community.

Black Male Youth Summit

• The Black Male Youth Summit is an opportunity for young black males in Bloomington to join together for a day of personal and professional development with community leaders.

Black Barbershop Health Initiative

• The Black Barbershop Health Initiative provides free health screenings and conversations centered around men’s health at local barbershops.

Black Male Grads

• The CSBM celebrates black male graduates of all education levels annually. Fill out a Grad form HERE to be featured!

Million Father March

• The CSBM organizes fathers, father figures, mentors, and role models to welcome students back to school as part of the Million Father March. 

Winter Wonderland

• During the holiday season, the CSBM hosts a photo event with a Santa of color.

   

Contact Info

Contact [email protected] or 812.349.3430.