Establishes the office of black male excellence to analyze and provide recommendations regarding issues relating to black males including education, criminal justice, health, mental health, economic opportunity, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, violence, public safety, and quality of life.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7035
SPONSOR: Dais TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
office of black male excellence
PURPOSE:
To create an Office of Black Male Excellence within the executive
department.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill amends the executive law, adding article 16-B, which estab-
lishes the Office of Black Male Excellence. The office would provide
analysis and recommendations related to socioeconomic issues that Black
males face, including education, criminal justice, health, mental
health, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, and quality of life. The
bill further stipulates that the office shall serve as a liaison to
other state agencies and the public, and that it is to submit a yearly
report on its activities, along with recommendations regarding improve-
ments to state or municipal services and programs.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Office of Black Male Excellence would be dedicated to addressing
systemic barriers to advancement and creating pathways to opportunities
for Black men and boys in New York State. The focus of the office would
be empowering Black males and ensuring they have equitable access to
opportunities in the state. Similar programs exist in Philadelphia (the
Office of Black Male Engagement, which started in 2011) and in Boston
(the Office for Black Male Advancement, which started in 2022). This
bill is modeled on legislation introduced by New York City Council
Member Kevin Riley in 2024, proposing an Office of Black Male Excellence
in New York City.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7035
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 18, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. DAIS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
office of black male excellence
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 16-B
2 to read as follows:
3 ARTICLE 16-B
4 OFFICE OF BLACK MALE EXCELLENCE
5 Section 340. Definitions.
6 341. Office of black male excellence.
7 342. Powers and duties.
8 § 340. Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following terms
9 shall have the following meanings:
10 1. The term "director" means the director of the office of black male
11 excellence.
12 2. The term "office" means the office of black male excellence estab-
13 lished by this article.
14 § 341. Office of black male excellence. There is hereby established in
15 the executive department the office of black male excellence. The office
16 shall be headed by the director, who shall be appointed by the governor.
17 The director shall appoint staff and perform such other functions to
18 ensure the efficient operation of the office within the amounts made
19 available therefor by appropriation.
20 § 342. Powers and duties. The director shall have the power and duty
21 to:
22 1. Analyze and provide recommendations to the governor, the legisla-
23 ture, and relevant state agencies on issues including, but not limited
24 to, black male: education, criminal justice, health, mental health,
25 economic opportunity, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, violence,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10405-01-5
A. 7035 2
1 public safety, and quality of life. Such recommendations shall acknowl-
2 edge any inequities black males experience in these issue areas.
3 2. Serve as a liaison to other state agencies and the public on any
4 black male issues identified by the office under subdivision one of this
5 section.
6 3. No later than January thirty-first of each year, the office shall
7 submit to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the
8 speaker of the assembly, and shall post to the office's website a report
9 summarizing the office's analyses and recommendations required under
10 subdivision one of this section, and the office's activities during the
11 previous calendar year, including, but not limited to:
12 (a) The number of individuals who interacted with the office, disag-
13 gregated by demographic and geographic information.
14 (b) The number and category of programs offered by the office.
15 (c) Any recommendations regarding improvements to state or municipal
16 services and programs.
17 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
