The Council on Black Minnesotans (CBM) was created in July 1980 to address the unmet needs and ongoing issues impacting Minnesotans of African descent and ensure that the needs of their constituents are conveyed to the policy makers and others in positions of authority who impact the well-being of this population. One objective is to provide accurate and culturally competent information to policy makers and guarantee protection of the law and equal access to state services and programs to Black Minnesotans. The Council is a policy-oriented agency that uses a community mobilization and involvement model.
Minnesota Laws, 2013, chapter 142, article 2, section 5 - The Office of the Legislative Auditor should conduct a financial audit of the Council on Black Minnesotans by December 1, 2013. In its next report to the Sunset Advisory Commission governor and legislature under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.9225, subdivision 7, the Council on Black Minnesotans must respond to any issues raised in this audit and to issues raised in previous audits.
The statutory authority for the Council on Black Minnesotans was repealed in the 2015 legislative session. The ethnic councils were restructured under new legislation, creating the new Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (Minn. Stat. 15.0145).