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Category: Press Release

U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Welcomes Five New Commissioners

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 on InstagramFacebook, and X. Press inquiries can be made by emailing [email protected].

United States Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Hires Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Commission on Civil Rights hires Mark Spencer, Esq. to lead the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (CSSBMB) as its new Director.

A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Spencer earned his Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C., and Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from St. Bonaventure University, Olean, N.Y.

Mr. Spencer comes to the Commission from the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Department where he served as the Inspector General. He has more than 30 years of professional experience as an Attorney practicing corporate litigation, products liability, personal injury and criminal prosecution. His most recent work experience involved police reform and oversight which included advising law enforcement executives and legislative bodies on law enforcement best practices.

As Director of the CSSBMB, Mr. Spencer will oversee the operations and development of policy recommendations to meet the objectives and future direction of the Commission.

“I am excited to begin this new effort to highlight issues impacting Black men and boys and to explore initiatives that can positively impact the outcomes of their lives,” said Mark Spencer, Director, Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.