MLBC HISTORY
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus evolved as an informal organization in 1976 and remained that way for three years, which was consistent of racial legislative caucuses in other states at that time. The early members included Representatives Robert Clark, Horace Buckley, Fred Banks, and Doug Anderson. Hillman Frazier, who currently serves as a Mississippi State Senator, joined the group as a volunteer staff member.
Robert Clark, a schoolteacher in Holmes County, became the first African American to be elected to the Mississippi State Legislature following Reconstruction. His election was a by-product of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 combined with strong mobilization efforts of local leaders and organizations, particularly the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the NAACP. African American citizens in Mississippi had been disenfranchised for nearly 100 years prior to the federal civil rights legislation. Thus, no African American had served in the state legislature between 1896 and 1967.
The caucus was formally established in 1980 after an increase of 19 African American legislators. Representative Robert Clark was the first chair of the organization, followed by Representative Fred Banks as the second chair.
The caucus is supported by the Political Education and Economic Development Foundation. The first chair of this foundation was Representative Charles Young. One of the main fundraising events was an annual banquet in which proceeds were used to fund scholarships for students attending historically Black colleges and universities in the state of Mississippi.
Below are the original Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus members.
House 47
Rep. Robert Clark
Senate 27
Sen. Douglas Anderson
House 69
Rep. Fred Banks
Senate 28
Sen. Henry Kirksey
House 70
Rep. Horace Buckley
House 67
Rep. Credell Calhoun
House 94
Rep. Barney Schoby
House 50
Rep. Leslie King
House 119
Rep. Isiah Fredericks
House 110
Rep. Mitch Elerby
House 85
Rep. Charles Shepard
House 96
Rep. David Green
House 82
Rep. Charles Young, Sr
House 93
Rep Percy Watson
House 38
Rep. Tyrone Ellis
House 9
Rep. Clayton Henderson
Senate 21
Sen. Arthur Tate
House 57
Rep. Ed Blackmon
House 29
Rep. Linda Coleman
House 68
Rep. Dennis Sweet
House 72
Rep. Tomie Green
House 80
Rep. Omeria Scott
House 27
Rep. Ferr Smith
House 11
Rep. Leonard Morris
House 32
Rep. Willie Perkins
House 50
Rep. Jimmie Thornton
House 31
Rep. Bill Richardson
House 51
Rep. Rufus Straughter
House 26
Rep. Aaron Henry
House 30
Rep. Robert Huddleston
House 65
Rep. Hilman Frazier
House 36
Rep. David Gibbs
Senate 80
Sen. Eric Powell
House 63
Rep. Walter Robinson
Senate 26
Sen. John Horhn
Senate 32
Sen. Sampson Jackson
Senate 12
Sen. Johnny Walls
Senate 36
Sen. Vincent Davis
Senate 13
Sen. Willie Simmons
Senate 16
Sen. Bennie Turner
House 41
Rep. Alfred Walker
House 42
Rep. Reecy Dickson
Senate 24
Sen. David Jordon
House 98
Rep. David Myers
*This short summary are excerpts of Black Legislative Politics in Mississippi by Dr. Byron D. Orey (2000). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/poliscifacpub/5

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Mailing Address
Mississippi Legislative Black
Caucus
New Capitol
PO Box 1018
Jackson, MS 39201