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By Rep. Zakiya Summers Published by Essence on March 2, 2025 Every year, we mark Equal Pay Day as a reminder of the staggering wage gap that Black women continue to face. Yet, every year, we are forced to fight the same battle for something that should already be a given: equal pay for equal work. In Mississippi and across the South, Black women—who have historically been the backbone of our families, our communities, and our economy—earn around 66 cents for every dollar a white man makes. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a financial stranglehold that limits our ability to build generational wealth, own homes, invest in our children’s futures, and retire with dignity. And despite what the Trump administration and its allies would prefer be our fate—despite their deliberate efforts to erase conversations about racial equity and economic justice—we are not backing down. I know firsthand what pay inequity looks like. In 2005, I had just graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia—one of the top journalism schools in the country. I had already been working in a newsroom for two years when I landed my first full-time job as a news producer at a Fox affiliate in Elkhart, Indiana. Around the same time, a young white woman, also fresh out of college, was hired for the same position. The difference? Her show was just one hour long while mine was a full two hours—twice the responsibility, the same title, and, I later discovered, half the pay. When I questioned my employer, I was met with silence. There was no justification. Instead of righting the wrong, they moved her to a primetime show—a move meant to cover up the blatant discrimination I had just uncovered. At the time, I didn’t have the words to describe what was happening. But now, after years of advocating for pay equity alongside leaders like Cassandra Welchlin of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable , I know exactly what it was: systemic pay discrimination. And I am far from the only one. There are millions of Black women across the South who are overworked and underpaid—whose skills, labor, and leadership are undervalued simply because of who they are. Some, like Cassandra’s mother and aunt, were paid so little they had to hide Cassandra in the utility closet and maid cart just to make ends meet . We cannot allow this to continue. That’s why I introduced House Bill 716—the Mississippi Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. This bill would ensure that employers cannot use a person’s past salary history to justify paying them less than they deserve. Why? Because allowing wage history to determine new salaries perpetuates discrimination. If a Black woman has been underpaid in one job, that same discrimination follows her to every job after that. But let’s be clear—this fight isn’t just about one bill. It’s about holding lawmakers, employers, and business leaders accountable. Mississippi claims to be focused on economic growth. But what good is attracting new businesses if they refuse to pay Black women fairly? If our state is serious about workforce development, we must demand a real equal pay law—not just a watered-down version that looks good on paper but does nothing to close the gap. We need public pressure on the Mississippi Legislature, the governor and corporate leaders. We need to push back against policies that favor profits over people, especially at the expense of Black women who have done more than their fair share of carrying this country on their backs. And let’s not forget—despite being the most educated demographic in this country, Black women still earn the least. The math isn’t mathing. So, what can you do? Make noise. Demand action. Support Black women in leadership. Hold employers accountable. And when Election Day comes, vote for leaders who will fight for pay equity—not just with words, but with policy. The fight for equal pay isn’t just about fairness. It’s about economic justice, dignity and the    right to thrive—not just survive. And we’re not stopping until the work is done. Rep. Zakiya Summers represents House District 68 in the Mississippi Legislature and is a leading advocate for pay equity, racial justice, and women’s economic empowerment.

By Senator Derrick Simmons, Minority Leader Published by Mississippi Today Each year, in a handful of states, public offices close, flags are lowered and official ceremonies commemorate “Confederate Memorial Day.” Mississippi is among those handful of states that on Monday will celebrate the holiday intended to honor the soldiers who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. But let me be clear: celebrating Confederate Memorial Day is not only racist but is bad policy, bad governance and a deep stain on the values we claim to uphold today. First, there is no separating the Confederacy from the defense of slavery and white supremacy. The Confederacy was not about “states’ rights” in the abstract; it was about the right to own human beings. Confederate leaders themselves made that clear. Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens declared in his infamous “Cornerstone Speech” that the Confederacy was founded upon “the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.” No amount of revisionist history can erase the fact that the Confederacy’s cause was fundamentally rooted in preserving racial subjugation. To honor that cause with a state holiday is to glorify a rebellion against the United States fought to defend the indefensible. It is an insult to every citizen who believes in equality and freedom, and it is a cruel slap in the face to Black Americans, whose ancestors endured the horrors of slavery and generations of systemic discrimination that followed. Beyond its moral bankruptcy, Confederate Memorial Day is simply bad public policy. Holidays are public statements of our values. They are moments when a state, through official sanction, tells its citizens: “This is what we believe is worthy of honor.” Keeping Confederate Memorial Day on the calendar sends a message that a government once committed to denying basic human rights should be celebrated. That message is not just outdated — it is dangerous. It nurtures the roots of racism, fuels division and legitimizes extremist ideologies that threaten our democracy today. Moreover, there are real economic and administrative costs to shutting down government offices for this purpose. In a time when states face budget constraints, workforce shortages and urgent civic challenges, it is absurd to prioritize paid time off to commemorate a failed and racist insurrection. Our taxpayer dollars should be used to advance justice, education, infrastructure and economic development — not to prop up a lost cause of hate. If we truly believe in moving forward together as one people, we must stop clinging to symbols that represent treason, brutality and white supremacy. There is a legislative record that supports this move in a veto-proof majority changing the state Confederate flag in 2020. Taking Confederate Memorial Day off our official state holiday calendar is another necessary step toward a more inclusive and just society. Mississippi had the largest population of enslaved individuals in 1865 and today has the highest percentage of Black residents in the United States. We should not honor the Confederacy or Confederate Memorial Day. We should replace it. Replacing a racist holiday with one that celebrates emancipation underscores the state’s rich African American history and promotes a more inclusive understanding of its past. It would also align the state’s observances with national efforts to commemorate the end of slavery and the ongoing pursuit of equality. I will continue my legislative efforts to replace Confederate Memorial Day as a state holiday with Juneteenth, which commemorates the freedom for America’s enslaved people. It’s time to end Confederate Memorial Day once and for all. ### Derrick T. Simmons, D-Greensville, serves as the minority leader in the state Senate. He represents Bolivar, Coahoma and Washington counties in the Mississippi Senate.

By Vice Chairman Sen. Rod Hickman Published by Clarion Ledger on April 15, 2025 The Mississippi Legislature exists to serve the people. As the policymaking body of our state, we are tasked with enacting laws, allocating resources and ensuring that government functions effectively for all Mississippians. One of our most essential responsibilities is passing a state budget — a task not just central to governance but legally required. The budget dictates how we fund schools, hospitals, infrastructure, public safety and critical social services. It reflects our priorities and our values. Without it, our state government cannot operate properly, and the people of Mississippi bear the consequences.  Yet, as the 2025 legislative session ends, we have failed in that fundamental duty. Instead of passing a responsible budget, internal divisions and last-minute power plays within the state’s Republican supermajority derailed budget negotiations, forcing the governor to call a special session to fix what never should have been broken in the first place.  This legislative stalemate underscores a troubling pattern of misplaced priorities. While critical budgetary decisions were left unresolved, the Legislature expedited the passage of the largest tax cut in state history for the wealthy — with significant typos in the legislation. This move will cut one-third of the state’s budget, forcing working families to bear the brunt of economic uncertainty while risking funding for vital services like education and healthcare. This comes at a time when federal funding cuts are already stripping essential resources from agencies. For example, the health department just announced that federal funding cuts will cost the state nearly $238 million in public health and mental health funding in Mississippi.  On top of that, lawmakers spent the last week of the session focused on anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion legislation in Mississippi's public schools and universities. Instead of addressing the state's deep-rooted socio-economic challenges, the Legislature chose to focus on cultural issues, passing laws that reflect a troubling agenda of divisiveness rather than progress. This decision makes it clear where their priorities lie.  Meanwhile, Mississippi remains at the bottom of too many national rankings. We have one of the highest poverty rates, highest incarceration rates and some of the worst health outcomes in the country. Rural communities are struggling with economic development and job opportunities, leaving too many families behind.  This is not governance or leadership; it is negligence.  With a Republican supermajority controlling both the governor's office and both the House and Senate in the Legislature, the party has had nearly unchecked power. This concentration of control has allowed the GOP to shape the state’s agenda without meaningful opposition, limiting diverse perspectives and preventing the state from addressing its most pressing needs. As a result, Mississippi continues to fall behind, especially where it matters most, showing how unbalanced political control has hindered the state's progress.  The Republican supermajority has controlled our government for years, yet our quality of life has not improved. It is time to rethink not only who holds leadership positions but how we govern. We must do better.  To my fellow Mississippians, I ask: When will we recognize that this kind of leadership is failing the people we vowed to serve? When will we take responsibility for the misguided priorities that have left families struggling? Hold us accountable. Demand more from your elected officials. Show up, speak out and vote for leaders who put people over politics. The future of Mississippi depends on a government that truly works for its people. It is time we make that a reality.  — Rod Hickman is the Mississippi Senator serving District 32.

Here is a list of our House Members in the Mississippi Black Caucus. Donate to the Caucus HOUSE MEMBERS Representative Jeramey Anderson District 110 - Jackson Representative Otis Anthony District 31 - Bolivar, Humphreys, Sunflower, Washington Representative Willie Bailey District 49 - Washington Representative Earle S. Banks District 67 - Hinds Representative Christopher Bell District 65 - Hinds Representative Bo Brown District 70 - Hinds Representative Cedric Burnett District 9 - Coahoma, Quitman, Tate, Tunica Representative Bryant W. Clark District 47 - Attala, Holmes, Yazoo Representative Tamarra Butler-Washington District 69 - Hinds Representative Angela Cockerham District 96 - Adams, Amite, Pike, Wilkinson Representative Ronnie C. Crudup District 71 - Hinds Representative Oscar Denton District 55 - Warren Representative John G. Faulkner District 5 - Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, Tate Representative Stephanie Foster District 63 - Hinds, Warren, Yazoo Representative Karl Gibbs District 36 - Clay, Monroe Representative Jeffery Harness District 85 - Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, Warren Representative John W. Hines, Sr. District 50 - Bolivar, Issaquena, Washington Representative Gregory Holloway District 76 - Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds Representative Jeffrey Hulum, III District 119 - Harrison Representative Lataisha Jackson District 11 - Panola, Tate Representative Robert L. Johnson III District 94 - Adams, Franklin, Jefferson District 94 - Adams, Franklin, Jefferson Representative Kabir Karriem District 41 - Lowndes Representative Hester Jackson McCray District 40 - DeSoto Representative Carl L. Mickens District 42 - Lowndes, Noxubee, Winston Representative Solomon Osborne District 32 - Leflore Join Our NEWSLETTER Sign Up Mailing Address Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus New Capitol PO Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39201 Email info@msblackcaucus.org

Here's a list of our Senate Members for the Mississippi Black Caucus. Donate to the Caucus SENATE MEMBERS Senator Juan Barnett District 34 - Forrest, Jasper, Jones Senator Albert Butler District 36 - Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Jefferson Senator Gary Brumfield District 38 - Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall, Wilkinson Senator Hillman T. Frazier District 27 - Hinds Senator Rod Hickman District 32 - Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee, Winston Senator John Horhn District 26 - Hinds, Madison Senator Reginald Jackson District 11 - Coahoma, DeSoto, Quitman, Tate, Tunica Senator Sollie B. Norwood District 28 - Hinds Senator Derrick T. Simmons District 12 - Bolivar, Coahoma, Washington Senator Sarita Simmons District 13 - Bolivar, Sunflower, Tallahatchie Senator Joseph Thomas District 22 - Sunflower, Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, Washington, Yazoo Senator Angela Turner-Ford District 16 - Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha Senator Bradford Blackmon District 21 Join Our NEWSLETTER Sign Up Mailing Address Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus New Capitol PO Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39201 Email info@msblackcaucus.org

Here, you will be able to find the rich history of the Mississippi Black Caucus. Donate to the Caucus 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 Join Our NEWSLETTER Sign Up Mailing Address Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus New Capitol PO Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39201 Email info@msblackcaucus.org