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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Below are the original Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus members. 

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House 47

Rep. Robert Clark

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Senate 27

Sen. Douglas Anderson

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House 69

Rep. Fred Banks

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Senate 28

Sen. Henry Kirksey

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House 70

Rep. Horace Buckley

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House 67

Rep. Credell Calhoun

 

House 94

Rep. Barney Schoby

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House 50

Rep. Leslie King

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House 119

Rep. Isiah Fredericks

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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

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House 38

Rep. Tyrone Ellis

 

House 9

Rep. Clayton Henderson

 

Senate 21

Sen. Arthur Tate

 

House 57

Rep. Ed Blackmon

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House 29

 

Rep. Linda Coleman

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House 68

Rep. Dennis Sweet

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House 72

Rep. Tomie Green

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House 80

Rep. Omeria Scott

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House 27

Rep. Ferr Smith

 

House 11

Rep. Leonard Morris

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House 32

Rep. Willie Perkins

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House 50

Rep. Jimmie Thornton

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House 31

Rep. Bill Richardson

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House 51

Rep. Rufus Straughter

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House 26

Rep. Aaron Henry

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House 30

Rep. Robert Huddleston

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House 65

Rep. Hilman Frazier

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House 36

Rep. David Gibbs

 

Senate 80

Sen. Eric Powell

 

House 63

Rep. Walter Robinson

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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

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*This short summary are excerpts of Black Legislative Politics in Mississippi by Dr. Byron D. Orey (2000). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/poliscifacpub/5