To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress her Department has made in improving the visibility of black male role models since December 2007.

The REACH report recommended that the Government should take action to improve the visibility of positive black male role models. The panel who wrote the REACH report envisioned a network of 20 national champions who would be used to challenge negative stereotyping, and support a network of black male role models in local communities. We have been working very closely with members of the REACH panel to ensure that their vision is realised.

On 3 December 2008 the Department launched the National Black Role Model Programme, and announced the names of the 20 National Role Models. These individuals are now working as champions of the programme, engaging at a national level and spearheading the work. The Role Models are being supported by the Windsor Fellowship, an organisation with very strong links to the black community at a grass roots level whom we are now funding to deliver the Role Models Programme.