The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, (''also known as'' the LLBC) is an American

political organisation A political organization is any organization that involves itself in the political process, including political parties, non-governmental organizations, and special interest advocacy groups. Political organizations are those engaged in politica ...

composed of

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

s elected to the

Louisiana Legislature The Louisiana State Legislature (french: Législature d'État de Louisiane) is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is a bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 represent ...

Priorities

The primary purpose of the LLBC is to raise the quality of life for African Americans, the indigent and working people through legislation, education and economic development. To fulfill these priorities the following goals were set by the LLBC: *Enacting legislation that positively impacts and repealing legislation that negatively impacts the Black Caucus' constituencies. *Implementing and promoting policies which allow all citizens fair and open access to educational and economical advancement opportunities. *Providing leadership in challenging policies which hinder the progress of African Americans. *Organizing and maintaining a networking system in Louisiana that links together elected officials, faith-based and civic organizations, businesses and colleges and universities for identifying cutting-edge issues that affect Louisiana's African American citizenry. *Developing and implementing community-based programs, meetings and forums for the distribution of information. *Serving as a united public voice for the African American population in Louisiana.

Current membership

Officers are elected from within the Caucus with equal representation from both the House and Senate members.

Officers

Members

*Louisiana State Rep.

Karen Carter Peterson Karen Carter Peterson (born November 1, 1969) is an American lawyer and former politician who served as a member of the Louisiana State House from 1999 to 2010, then as the state senator from the 5th district until her resignation in 2022. She ...

(D-New Orleans) *Louisiana State Rep.

Rick Gallot Richard Joseph Gallot, Jr., known as Rick Gallot (born April 1966), is the current president of Grambling State University and was a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 29 In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on Oct ...

, Jr. (D-Ruston) (elected to state Senate, 2011) *Louisiana State Rep.

Avon Honey Avon R. Honey (May 1, 1947 – February 12, 2010) was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for the 63rd District since his victory in a special election held in March 2002 until his death in office. Honey was elect ...

(D-Baton Rouge) *Louisiana State Sen. Lydia P. Jackson (D-Shreveport) (defeated 2011)

History

The LLBC was established in 1977. The ten founders of LLBC were Rev. Avery C. Alexander, Diana E. Bajoie,

Sidney Barthelemy Sidney John Barthelemy (born March 17, 1942) is a former American political figure. The second African American to hold the New Orleans mayoral chair, he was a member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1974 to 1978 and a member at-large of the N ...

, Louis Charbonnet, III, Nick Connor, Joseph A. Delpit, Alphonse Jackson, Johnny Jackson, Jr., Thomas Jasper, and Richard Turnley, Jr. The number of African-American legislators has increased tremendously since the inception of the LLBC. Currently the Louisiana Legislature has thirty-two (32) African-American members consisting of nine (9) senators and twenty-two (22) representatives.

Notes

Louisiana State Legislature State Legislative Black Caucuses 1977 establishments in Louisiana {{poli-org-stub