PLBC installs officers for 2021-22 session

HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus this week installed officers to serve in the 2021-22 legislative session, announced Chairwoman Donna Bullock, D-Phila.

“We came together to install our officers and acknowledge the importance of our voices in Harrisburg and across the commonwealth in what has turned into a very concerning time for Pennsylvania and this country,” Bullock said. “The events of Wednesday in Washington and Tuesday in our own Senate chamber in Pennsylvania further highlighted the need for our leadership at a time like this in our history.”

The following members were installed as officers:

  • Chairwoman Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila.
  • Vice Chairwoman Rep. Summer Lee, D-Allegheny
  • Secretary Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York
  • Treasurer Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks

Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Carolyn Nichols administered the oath to each officer.

In addition to officers, the following members were appointed by Bullock to lead subcommittees:

  • Subcommittee on Health Equity and Justice – Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila.
  • Subcommittee on Education – Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware
  • Subcommittee on Budget Equity – Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery
  • Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color – Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila.
  • Subcommittee on Gun Violence and Public Safety – Rep. Amen Brown, D-Phila.

Founded in 1973 by then-Majority Leader K. Leroy Irvis, the caucus was formed to serve as an information and advocacy vehicle to advance the interests of African American, Latino and other people of color in the commonwealth. Irvis, who eventually went on to be the first Black Speaker of the House, saw the need for the caucus because he felt that legislators representing minority districts needed to speak with a united voice regarding the issues and concerns of their constituents. 

Many of the original members of the first caucus were afraid to meet in an open forum. They met in secret for the first few meetings and were successful in establishing an agenda most of the members favored.

Speaking at the installation were members of leadership in the Pennsylvania General Assembly including House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, also a member of the caucus; state Sens. Vince Hughes, Senate Appropriations Committee Democratic chairman, and Anthony Williams, Senate Democratic Whip, both former caucus members; and U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, Phila., also a former member of the PLBC and a current member of the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington.