Mission

The Governor's Success Council is tasked with investigating and suggesting policies to the Governor to enhance the circumstances facing Louisiana's black male population. The Council is to make a systematic study of the following conditions affecting black men and boys: educational attainment and opportunity, health disparities, access to the workforce and job training, poverty, violence prevention, drug abuse, and disparate annual income levels; and propose policy recommendations and programs regarding measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of these conditions.

Vision

The Governor's Success Council is dedicated to empowering, educating, and supporting all black men and boys in realizing their full potential. 

Statute

1212. Louisiana Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys; creation; domicile; membership A. The Louisiana Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys, hereinafter referred to in this Chapter as the "council", is hereby established in the executive branch of state government in the office of the governor. The council is hereby declared to be a body corporate and public, exercising public and essential governmental functions. The domicile of the council shall be in the city of Baton Rouge. B. The council shall be comprised of twenty-one members as provided in this Subsection and Subsection C of this Section:

(1) Two members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

(3) Two members of religious communities appointed by the governor.

(4) The assistant secretary of the office of behavioral health within the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.

(5) A representative of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services who has expertise in the needs of children appointed by the secretary of the department.

(6) The state superintendent of education or his designee who has expertise in early childhood education.

(7) A representative of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections who has expertise in reentry or recidivism appointed by the secretary of the department.

(8) The governor or his designee.

(9) The secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission or his designee.

(10) The deputy secretary for the office of juvenile justice or his designee.

(11) Three representatives from community organizations or foundations appointed by the governor. C. The governor shall appoint five members as provided for in this Subsection. The presidents of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Grambling State University, Dillard University, Xavier University, and Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall each submit to the governor a list of three nominees. The governor shall appoint one member from the list of nominees submitted by the president of each academic institution.

D. Twelve members shall constitute a quorum, and all actions of the council shall require the affirmative vote of at least ten members.

E. The governor shall appoint the chairman of the council, and the council shall annually elect a vice chairman from among its members.

F. The council shall meet at least quarterly and may meet upon the call of the chairman or any three members.

G. All meetings of the council shall be open and subject to the provisions of R.S. 42:11 et seq.

H. Records of the council shall be public records and subject to the provisions of R.S. 44:1 et seq.

I. A vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

J. Appointed members of the council shall serve four-year terms.

K. The governor shall provide staff and administrative support to the council. Acts 2008, No. 733, §2; Acts 2009, No. 384, §5, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 877, §3, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2018, No. 103, §2

 

Meet the Council Members

 Coming Soon

The Cedric Richmond Scholarship Program

The application must be received by May 3, 2024

The Governor’s Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys’ “Cedric Richmond Scholarship Program” will provide scholarship awards to African American male students from Louisiana to attend a college or higher education institution in Louisiana. Supplemental monies are sent directly to the college/university/institute that’s listed in the student’s application.

Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis and selections will be based on the following criteria:

 

Academics (GPA): Exhibits commitment & dedication to one’s education.

 

Financial Need: Includes the number of family members, family income, background and economic status of the family and the cost of attending the institution.

 

 Eligibility Criteria

· Applicant must attend one of Louisiana’s public institutions.

· Applicant must be an African American Male

· Applicant must have already been accepted or currently in their first year of undergrad or graduate school.

· Applicant must demonstrate community or organizational involvement.

· Applicant must submit one letter of recommendation

 

Please review this checklist before continuing to the application.

Applicant Check List:

  • Application completed and signed
  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • Copy of most recent unofficial or official transcript (if first semester college student, include high school transcript). (Omitting grade reports and transcripts will cause the application to be disqualified).

New College Students:

  •  College acceptance letter (if just entering college)

 Returning College Students:

  • Printout of fee bill or registered courses accepted

 

Click here to apply for the Cedric Richmond Scholarship.

Contact

Staff:

Chandler C. Vidrine, MPA

Executive Director

Phone:

225-342-6160

Email:

chandler.vidrine@la.gov

GOVSuccessCouncil@LA.GOV

Address:

Office of the Governor
Louisiana State Capitol
900 N. Third St. 
Baton Rouge, LA 70804