Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with a new release from the Attorney General, Bill McCollum.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
February 26, 2008
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Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
Announces New Chair, Committee Leaders
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that
the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys has chosen its new
Chair and set its goals for 2008. Christopher Norwood, last year’s Vice
Chair, was nominated by Secretary of Juvenile Justice Frank Peterman and
subsequently elected the new Chair for the Council. Dr. Anthony McCoy was
elected Vice Chair. In addition to its existing committees, the Council
also created a Criminal Justice committee to add to its mission.
“We should strive to provide today’s youth with the resources to make
the choices that will send their lives in a positive direction,” said
Attorney General McCollum. “I am confident this dedicated group will
recommend sound strategies to achieve that goal.”
Norwood is the Director of Lawyers for Children (LFCA), a child
advocacy organization protecting the rights of children who are victims of
abuse, neglect and abandonment by providing quality pro bono legal
representation and collaborating for systematic change to improve the
lives of children. He was appointed to the Council by the Speaker of the
House in 2007. Vice Chair Dr. Anthony McCoy is the Statewide Forensic
Treatment Coordinator for the Department of Children and Families, having
studied clinical psychology, psychology-law and statistics at the
University of Alabama. He serves the Council on behalf of the Department
of Children and Families.
“It is an honor to be chosen as Chair, and I accept this opportunity
with a humble spirit,” said Christopher Norwood. “The statistics are
disheartening. Florida’s Black men and boys are suffering by any measure,
but there are beams of hope throughout our state. We must focus our minds
to discover the positive and promote it, while learning from the
challenges already before us.”
Mr. Levi Williams, last year’s Council Chairman, will chair the
Committee on Criminal Justice, which will focus on addressing criminal
justice issues among Black men and boys, including the issue of criminal
gangs as well as prevention and intervention programs. Dr. Billy Close
will chair the Committee on Improving Educational Outcomes and will study
career academics as a secondary reform issue. Mr. Torey Alston will chair
the Committee on Improving Economic Outcomes and will work to promote
employment for Black males with criminal backgrounds. Ms. Lillian Lima
will chair the Committee on Improving Foster Care and Family Issues and
will focus on fatherhood initiatives and removing traditional barriers for
families. Dr. Eddy Regnier will chair the Committee on Improving Health
Status and will address the issue of learned helplessness of young Black
men. The Committee on Legislative Review will be chaired by Dr. Emile
Commedore.
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 Council’s
mission is to constantly strive to alleviate and correct the underlying
conditions that affect Black men and boys throughout the State of Florida
to bring about an environment that promotes the values of learning,
family, prosperity, unity, and self-worth among Black men and boys. Its
goal is to be dedicated to being a leading entity that provides and
promotes an environment that is conducive to productivity, success, and
excellence for all Black men and boys in the State of Florida. More
information about the Council is available online at:
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Evleyn out.
