Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Troy Carter, Rep. Henry “Hank” Johnson, Alaysia Black Hackett,
and Joseph Salvador Palm join the bipartisan commission
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
(CSSBMB) today announces the appointment of five new commissioners. Representatives
Maxwell Frost, Troy Carter, Henry Hank Johnson, and Chief Diversity and Equity Officer at the
U.S. Department of Labor Alaysia Black Hackett, and Regional Director at the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services Joseph Palm, join 11 other commissioners on the bipartisan
commission.
The mission of CSSBMB, established in 2020, is to elevate Black men and boys by examining
social disparities, issuing policy recommendations, and crafting legislation to Congress, the
White House, and federal agencies for actionable implementation.
“The inclusion of these new members marks a momentous stride, fortifying our collective
commitment to empowering Black men and boys in our nation,” said Chairwoman
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. “Amidst rising gun violence, educational and health
disparities, and other challenges that disproportionately affect Black men, the time to support
Black Men and Boys is now. We cannot ignore Black men and boys in our policy-making any
longer, and I am confident each commissioner will advance Black men and boys nationwide.”
In 2024, the Commission will release its second annual report and will bring light to issues such
as the school-to-prison pipeline that affects many young men in America. To keep up to date
with the work of the commission, please visit usccr.gov/CSSBMB.
About the New Commissioners:
Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) The first member of Generation Z to be elected to
Congress, Maxwell Alejandro Frost represents the people of Central Florida in the United States
House of Representatives. "The Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is doing
deeply impactful work to better identify and break down the hurdles facing young Black people
in our communities while fighting to create a world where systemic inequality does not exist,"
said Congressman Maxwell Frost. "As the youngest Afro-Latino in Congress, I am grateful for
the opportunity to work alongside this Commission for the betterment of my Black brothers and
siblings."
Troy Carter (D-LA) Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. is an elected United States House of
Representatives member from Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District. “As a member, I look
forward to actively participating in the mission to propose impactful measures and
recommendations that can lead to positive changes in legislation, policies, and government
programs, fostering a national dialogue on the nuanced challenges Black men and boys face in
our cultural landscape,” said Carter.
Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA) In his ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives from
Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, Johnson is a senior member of the House Judiciary
Committee. “I am proud to have been asked to serve along with others on the CSSBMB, which
will report on the current conditions affecting Black men and boys and make recommendations
to improve the social conditions that impact our ability to more fully participate in the
advancement of American society,” said Johnson.
Alaysia Black Hackett Appointed by President Joe Biden, reporting directly to the Secretary
of Labor, Hackett serves as the Department of Labor’s inaugural Chief Diversity and Equity
Officer. “I am enthusiastic about serving with Congresswoman Wilson and my
co-commissioners for the advancement of Black men and boys by offering tangible and
measurable solutions to foster economic opportunities, create positive pathways to good jobs,
and bridge wage disparities,” said Hackett.
Joseph Salvador Palm is the Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services.“I’d like to thank the Biden Administration for this appointment and the opportunity to
work to improve the social status for black males,” said Palm. “I look forward to working with
Chairwoman Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and the other members of the commission to
reduce racial disparities, especially in health and education outcomes.”
ABOUT THE COMMISSION:
CSSBMB is a 19-member, bipartisan commission whose mission is to:
- Conduct a systematic study of the conditions affecting Black men and boys, including
homicide rates, arrest, and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, fatherhood,
mentor-ship, drug abuse, death rates, disparate income and wealth levels, school
performance at all grade levels, including postsecondary education and college, and
health issues. - Examine trends regarding Black males and report on the community impacts of relevant
government programs within the scope of such topics. - Propose measures to alleviate and remedy the underlying causes of the conditions
described in the statute, which may include recommendations for changes to the law,
recommendations for how to implement related policies, and recommendations for how
to create, develop, or improve upon government programs.
Stay abreast of CSSBMB updates at www.usccr.gov/CSSBMB and on Instagram, Facebook, and
X. Press inquiries can be made by emailing pressbmb@usccr.gov.
pressbmb@usccr.gov