Int. No. 975
By Council Members Riley, Salaam, Ossé, Banks and Stevens
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an office of black male excellence
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 20-r to read as follows:
§ 20-r. Office of black male excellence. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Director. The term “director” means the director of black male excellence.
Office. The term “office” means the office of black male excellence.
b. Establishment of office. The mayor shall establish an office of black male excellence. Such office may be established as a standalone office or within any office of the mayor or within any agency. Such office shall be headed by a director of black male excellence, who shall be appointed by the mayor, or, if the office is established within an agency other than the office of the mayor, by the head of such agency.
c. Powers and duties. The director shall have the power and duty to:
1. Analyze and provide recommendations to the mayor, council, and relevant city agencies on issues related to, but not limited to, black male: education, criminal justice, health, mental health, economic opportunity, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, violence, public safety, and quality of life. Such recommendations shall acknowledge any inequities black males experience in these issue areas; and
2. Serve as a liaison to other city agencies and the public on any black male issues identified in paragraph 1 of this subdivision.
d. Reporting. No later than January 31 of each year, the office shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council and post to the office’s website a report summarizing the office’s analyses and recommendations required by paragraph 1 of subdivision c of this section, and the office’s activities during the previous calendar year, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. The number of individuals who interacted with the office, disaggregated by demographic and geographic information;
2. The number and category of programs offered by the office; and
3. Any recommendations regarding improvements to services and programs.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.
CY
LS #15365
02/29/24 9am