MIAMI GARDENS — The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys has as its mission the alleviation of underlying conditions that affect this group of people throughout Florida. The city of Miami Gardens, a predominantly black community on the northern edge of Miami-Dade County, has one of the highest crime rates in the country.
The council meets at the Miami Gardens’ city hall on Aug. 8, and will include a full spate of committee meetings, culminating with a public forum at 6 p.m.
In existence for a little over two years, the council is beginning to see positive results. Three universities in the South Florida area have implemented programs to complement the council’s educational goal of increasing the number of black males entering and graduating from college. One of the schools, Florida Memorial University, is located in the city of Miami Gardens.
Levi Williams, a prominent Fort Lauderdale attorney and immediate past chairman of the council, will host the gathering. The council’s current chairperson is Chris Norwood, director of Lawyers for Children.
Of the council’s choice of Miami Gardens for this meeting, Miami Gardens City Councilman Andre Williams said, “I’m delighted that they chose Miami Gardens as the site for their meeting. They’re working on some important issues, and black men and young boys are clearly the focus of a lot of our efforts here at the city to improve the quality of life for our residents. I look forward to working with the council on some of their initiatives and implementing them in the city of Miami Gardens.”
The Florida Legislature approved the council in 2006 following the efforts of Sen. Frederica Wilson and Representative Frank Peterman. It was created to address the significant problems facing the state’s black men and boys. Since its inaugural meeting on Feb. 27, 2007, the council has convened four times at venues throughout the state. The Aug. 8 meeting marks its first time assembling in South Florida.
RMHarris15@Aol.com
Photo by Khary Bruyning. Left to right, Noel White, Alumnus, Mentor, Jordan Hall, Senior, Miami Carol City High School 5th yr Participant, members of FMU’s Explorers Program with Kareem J.Coney, program’s director on FMU campus.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys public forum
WHERE: Miami Gardens City Hall 1515 NW 167th Street, Suite 200
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.
CONTACT: For more information on the meeting, call 305-622-8000. To obtain a copy of the 2007 annual report, visit www.cscbmb.com.
No Comment