Speaker Nancy Pelosi Announces Appointment of Dr. Joseph Marshall to Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys

February 17, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her appointment of Dr. Joseph Marshall, Founder and Executive Director of Alive & Free in San Francisco, to serve on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, established by the Congress to study, report on and provide recommendations relating to the conditions affecting Black men and boys.

“Our nation has been undergoing a reckoning as we confront and combat the racial injustice and police brutality targeting Black Americans, particularly Black men and boys,” said Speaker Pelosi.  “The Democratic House, reflecting the outpouring of activism across the country, continues to take action to address these cruel disparities, from passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, removing portraits and statues of Confederate leaders and others embodying hate from the U.S. Capitol, and last summer, passing Congresswoman Frederica’s Wilson’s legislation to establish this Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.  This Commission is part of a long overdue effort to acknowledge and end the institutional racism that Black men and boys face every day in America.”

“As Speaker, I am proud to appoint Dr. Joseph Marshall to serve on this essential, action-oriented Commission,” continued Speaker Pelosi.  “Dr. Marshall is a visionary leader, who is helping to fundamentally transform our communities’ and nation’s approach to the challenges facing today’s Black youth, as he works to eliminate violence across America.  His pioneering work has made a difference in the lives of countless young people and has been recognized at the highest levels, including with a MacArthur Genius Award.  Now, on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, Dr. Marshall will bring the innovation, expertise and excellence needed to create real, impactful change in our country.”

Dr. Joseph E. Marshall, Jr. is a community activist and founder of Alive & Free, an international violence prevention organization headquartered in San Francisco, which has transformed the lives of more than 10,000 young people.  He is a recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award, the Children’s Defense Fund Leadership Award, the Essence Award, and the Use Your Life Award from Oprah Winfrey.  Other awards include the 2007 African American Excellence in Business award, 2006 San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Award, and the 2006 Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service.  Dr. Marshall earned an M.A. in Education from San Francisco State University, his Ph.D. in Psychology from Berkeley’s Wright Institute, and holds doctorates from Morehouse College and the University of San Francisco.  He is the past president and current member of the San Francisco Police Commission and a trustee emeritus of the University of San Francisco.

The Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is established within the United States Commission on Civil Rights Office of the Staff Director.  The Commission shall conduct a systematic study of the conditions affecting Black men and boys, including homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, fatherhood, mentorship, drug abuse, death rates, disparate income and wealth levels, school performance in all grade levels including postsecondary education and college, and health issues.  The Commission shall document trends, report on the community impacts of relevant government programs and propose measures to alleviate and remedy underlying causes.  The Commission shall make an annual report, to be submitted to the President, the Congress, members of the Cabinet, and the chairs of the appropriate committees of jurisdiction and available to the public.