Would mayor Bloomberg help our young black males?

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5: Billionaire New York Mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg could be approached by Government to assist with programmes designed to help young black males.

The possibility arose after Mr Bloomberg — who owns a house in Tucker’s Town and is regular visitor to the island — forked out $30 million from his charitable foundation to help pay for a $130 million drive to improve life for young black and Latino men in New York, who are disproportionately unemployed, undereducated and jailed.

Outreach

Rolfe Commissiong, a consultant to Premier Paula Cox, said yesterday: “I have recommended to Michael Weeks, the Minister of Community Development, that he use his good offices to embark on an outreach with Michael Bloomberg to see if he can perhaps see a role for him and his foundation in ongoing attempts to tackle this issue in Bermuda.

“I believe Mr Bloomberg may already have a cursory knowledge at least of our efforts over the past three or four years to deal with problems which mirror New York’s.

“We want to share common experiences in dealing with issues which are relevant to both New York and Bermuda.

“Bermuda is a place Mr Bloomberg loves and I’m sure he would be willing to assist us in any way he can.”