The ICSSBM board of commissioners voted to reinstate Eddie Melton as Chairman at the January 21, 2015 commission meeting. Melton was first elected as Chairman in June of 2014, and serves as NIPSCO Community Relations Manager.
Chairman Melton states, "I'm honored to serve as chairman for the ICSSBM and have an opportunity to work more closely with vice chairman, Kenneth Allen. There's no question that the black male population in Indiana and across the nation face a myriad of issues that significantly impact our lives. I strongly believe that the commission currently has a renewed focus and a strategy to confront many of these issues. I look forward to partnering with the various state departments, elected and appointed officials, faith-based community and local community based organizations across the state as we collectively strive to build a better tomorrow for all black males in Indiana."
Commissioner Kenneth Allen was elected as the ICSSBM Vice-Chairman during the January meeting as well. Allen previously served in this role in 2007 & 2008, and is the founder of the Kenneth Allen Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Inc.
Allen is eager to contribute to the commission’s efforts as Vice-Chair. “I am so honored and humbled to have been elected once again to serve as Vice Chair of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. I initially served as Vice-Chair in 2007. So I look forward to working under the leadership of Chairman Melton along with all the other commissioners and proxies. We have great initiatives planned to advance the plight of black males across the Hoosier state for 2015 and beyond.”
The ICSSBM is excited to move forward under the continued leadership of these men as we work to improve upon the disparities facing African American males throughout the state.