The Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys held its first meeting on Tuesday.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) introduced legislation establishing the commission following the murder of George Floyd and the nationwide protests sparked in its aftermath. A companion bill introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) passed the Senate in June 2020, and the final act was signed into law that August.
The new commission will gather information about various issues impacting Black men and boys, ranging from poverty, school performance and fatherhood to health issues, violence, and homicide and incarceration rates, as well as any related trends. It will also study how relevant government programs affect Black communities.
