Commission on the Status of Black Males to welcome students on the first day of school at Fairview Elementary

BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) will join area fathers, father figures, caregivers, mentors, and role models to welcome students back to school in person on Wednesday, August 3 at 8:30 a.m. at Fairview Elementary School, 500 West 7th Street.  

Mayor John Hamilton greeting students last year

Volunteers are invited to register at bloomington.in.gov/csbm and will be expected to adhere to health and safety guidelines, posted at the registration site.  

The event marks the sixth local observance of the Million Fathers March (MFM), part of a national opportunity for dads, uncles, grandfathers, coaches, mentors, clergy, men’s groups, and organizations to show their commitment to the educational lives of their children and children in the community throughout the school year by escorting children to school. 

This year’s theme is “Code Blue,” exploring the mental health of today’s dads. CSBM encourages all volunteers to wear something blue to build community with others working to support mental health. Although this event was created for Black men, CSBM encourages men and women of all races, nationalities, and faith backgrounds to support them by taking their children to school on the first day. CSBM also encourages males who are unable to join the MFM at Fairview to get involved with a local school to support youth in Bloomington in other ways.  

For additional information on the National Million Fathers March visit millionfathersmarch.com

For additional information about the local event, contact Safe and Civil City Director Shatoyia Moss at mosss@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3430.