The Office on the Status of African Americans has the following duties:
- Serve as the central permanent agency to advocate for African Americans.
- Coordinate and cooperate with the efforts of state departments and agencies to serve the needs of African Americans in participating fully in the economic, social, and cultural life of the state, and provide direct assistance to individuals who request it.
- Develop, coordinate, and assist other pubic or private organizations which serve African Americans.
- Serve as an information clearinghouse on programs and agencies operating to assist African Americans.
The Office on the Status of African Americans works closely with the Commission on the Status of African Americans.