Council for Social Status of Black Men and Boys

Research to Reform

Advancing justice, opportunity, and equity for Black men and boys in Florida through evidence-based reform.

CSSBMB Moves to FMU: A New Chapter in Service and Impact

The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is proud to announce its transition to Florida Memorial University (FMU), South Florida’s only historically Black university. This historic move marks a transformative moment for the Council, strengthening our commitment to education, community engagement, and statewide impact. As of July 1, 2025, the Council’s administrative and operational home is now housed at FMU, positioning us within a vibrant academic environment that aligns with our mission to empower, educate, and equip Black men and boys across Florida. This transition enables deeper collaboration with scholars, students, and community leaders while expanding our reach into underserved regions of the state. By rooting the Council within an HBCU, we are honoring our past, elevating our present, and investing in the future of Florida’s Black communities.

What We Do

We turn data into direction and direction into policy.

Through comprehensive reports, legislative action, and grassroots initiatives, CSSBMB addresses the most critical barriers facing Black men and boys in Florida.

Our Mission

Why We Exist

The mission of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is to study conditions affecting Black men and boys, develop strategies to improve their quality of life, and provide recommendations to Florida’s government and public on how to tackle disparities in education, health care, criminal justice, employment, fatherhood, and violence prevention.

Our Vision

Guided by Vision, Grounded in Purpose

The Council envisions a Florida where Black men and boys are free from disparities, supported by systems that foster equity, advancement, and full participation in society.

Public Engagement

Your voice matters. Get involved in our work.

Join Our Initiatives
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Join Our Initiatives

Be part of the solutions that are making a difference.
  • Volunteer for mentorship, advocacy, or outreach programs
  • Collaborate on local education or health equity campaigns
  • Support fatherhood and violence prevention efforts
  • Engage with equity-enforced pilot projects in your area
Attend Upcoming Events
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Attend Upcoming Events

Connect, learn, and lead with us in the community.
  • Join town halls and public forums
  • Attend workshops, panels, and training sessions
  • Meet with local policymakers and thought leaders
  • Meet with local policymakers and thought leaders
Stay Informed
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Stay Informed on Public Meetings & Legislative Updates

Your awareness fuels accountability.
  • Receive emails on Florida Council public meetings
  • Track legislation impacting Black men and boys
  • Learn how to submit public comment or attend virtually
  • Get action alerts and summaries of policy changes

Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. It is my honor to serve as Chair during this pivotal moment in our journey. For nearly two decades, the Council has worked to understand and address the root causes of the disparities affecting Black men and boys across Florida—through rigorous research, policy recommendations, and community partnerships.

Today, with our transition to Florida Memorial University, we are entering a new era—one that brings us closer to the very communities we serve and deepens our impact through education, innovation, and engagement. We are expanding our focus to elevate student voices, support emerging scholars, and create new pathways through initiatives like the Dr. Eddy Regnier Scholarship and mental health-centered programming.

Whether you are a student, researcher, policymaker, or community advocate, we invite you to stand with us as we push for equity, justice, and opportunity for Black men and boys across this state.

Jerome Hill, Chair

Help us grow the hub

Data Contribution & Requests

This hub is a future-forward project designed to fuel policy change, student research, and public understanding. Together, we can turn data into a tool for equity. Stay tuned for updates!
lets change the data on Black Men

14.7 %

Unemployment Rate

27 %

Earn over $50K

2 x

More likely to be suspended from school

85.3 %

Graduate from Highschool

Quote from Executive Director

“Now housed at Florida Memorial University, the Council enters a bold new
chapter—grounded in research, powered by community, and committed to advancing equity for Black men and boys across Florida. We’re not just tracking change; we’re leading it.”

— Y. Caine, Executive Director

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