03/12/2008: TALLAHASSEE - He is Florida's ultimate conservative, a small-framed, earnest family man who campaigned on fighting terrorism, pedophiles and child pornographers. So when Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum inherited oversight of a committee studying problems facing African-American males, Democrat Frederica Wilson shuddered.

02/26/2008: TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys has chosen its new Chair and set its goals for 2008. Christopher Norwood, last year’s Vice Chair, was nominated by Secretary of Juvenile Justice Frank Peterman and subsequently elected the new Chair for the Council. Dr. Anthony McCoy was elected Vice Chair. In addition to its existing committees, the Council also created a Criminal Justice committee to add to its mission.

02/17/2008: Black males in Florida are more likely to fail or fall behind in school, be subject to discipline and drop out than other students. Those who drop out, and even those who get only a high school diploma, face a greater chance of going to prison. It's facts like these that stir organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union to decry the so-called "school to prison pipeline" as a crisis in education.

01/18/2008: Gov. Charlie Crist and the state Legislature this week received a blueprint to help build a firmer foundation for black males in Florida. The architectural plans, drawn up by the Council on the Status of Black Men and Boys, outlines more than 50 recommendations that group members hope will reverse the social ills plaguing black men and boys in the Sunshine State.

01/15/2008: TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum and Levi Williams, Chairman of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, today announced that the Council has released its first annual report. The report covers the topics addressed by the Council’s five subcommittees on improving economic outcomes, foster care and families issues, education outcomes and health status and developing legislative review.

11/28/2007: TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today unveiled a new tool for people to learn about and follow the progress of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. A website has been created by the Office of Attorney General to keep the public informed on the Council’s meetings, agendas and other important information related to the Council’s charge. The Council has been meeting since February to draft a comprehensive report on conditions that disproportionately affect black men and boys including high infant mortality rates, poverty, health concerns, disparate annual income levels, murder and violence rates, arrest and incarceration rates and school performance. The report will be released on December 15, 2007.

06/12/2007: ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys met in conjunction with the 22nd National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community on May 30, 2007, at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.

05/31/2007: TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today applauded the Governor and members of the Florida Legislature for funding several important initiatives, including the expansion of the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit, in the state’s budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

05/24/2007: TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker today addressed the attendees of the 22nd Annual Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community at the conference’s opening session in Orlando. The conference, established by the Florida Attorney General’s Office in 1985 and co-hosted with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, is a collaborative effort to encourage communication and action within local communities by showcasing innovative ideas and successful prevention strategies that focus on crime issues in African-American neighborhoods.

02/27/2007: TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today hosted the first meeting of the Council on the Status of Black Men and Boys. At the meeting’s conclusion, McCollum praised the Council for their positive dialogue and discussion. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with this distinguished group of individuals and will continue to provide them the support needed to continue their quest,” said Attorney General McCollum. “One of my top priorities is to bring together both the people and the resources needed to help today's youth make the choices that will send their lives in a positive direction. I am confident this dedicated group will recommend sound strategies to achieve that goal and others.”