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Permanent Commission on the Status of African Americans
Board Information
Policy Area
LegislativePurpose
The commission shall be a resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting African Americans. It shall be a primary function of the commission to make policy recommendations, based on research and analysis, to the general court and executive agencies that: (i) ensure African Americans equitably benefit from and have access to government services in the same manner as other citizens of the commonwealth; (ii) amend laws, policies and practices that have benefited citizens of the commonwealth to the exclusion of African Americans; and (iii) promote solutions that address the impact of discrimination against African Americans. Further, the commission shall: (A) promote research and be a clearinghouse and source of information on issues pertaining to African Americans in the commonwealth; (B) inform the public and leaders of business, education, human services, health care, judiciary, state and local governments and the media of the historical and current implications of systemic racism on the African American community across the commonwealth and the unique cultural, social, ethnic, economic and educational issues affecting African Americans in the commonwealth; (C) serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to African Americans in the commonwealth; (D) identify and recommend qualified African Americans for appointive positions at all levels of government, including boards and commissions; (E) assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect African Americans using a racial equity framework; (F) advise executive agencies and the general court on the potential effect on African Americans of proposed legislation and regulations using a racial equity framework; (G) monitor executive and legislative action purported to eliminate systemic racism for its impact on African Americans using a racial equity framework; and (H) generally undertake activities designed to enable the commonwealth to realize the full benefit of the skills, talents and cultural heritage of African Americans in the commonwealth.Legal Authority
Board Members
↓↓ Sort members table by selecting table header for Member, Seat Name, Appointing Authority, or Term End Date.
| Member↓↓ | Seat Name | Appointing Authority | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Debora E. Jackson | Seat 1 | Governor | June 11, 2024 |
| Ms. Kerima M. Lewis Ph.D. | Seat 3 | Governor | September 3, 2024 |
| Tanisha Sullivan | Seat 2 | Governor | July 19, 2024 |
| - | Seat 4 | Senate President | - |
| - | Seat 5 | Senate President | - |
| - | Seat 6 | Senate President | - |
| - | Seat 7 | House of Representatives | - |
| - | Seat 8 | House of Representatives | - |
| - | Seat 9 | House of Representatives | - |