Michigan Legislative Black Caucus: Generating Political Power with Purpose

Since its inception in 1976, the Lansing-based Michigan Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) has stood at the vanguard of assuring that Black Michiganders have fair and equitable access to the democratic and political processes throughout the state.& In essence, MLBC believes that Black and other systematically marginalized communities in the Wolverine State are fully, fearlessly, and authentically positioned to pursue the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and happiness. “Our mission is captured in our slogan:& Legislative power with purpose,” said MLBC’s executive director Chris Jackson. & “Given our long history of enslavement, discrimination, and inequalities, Black Americans deserve an efficient, effective, and accountable government without compromise.” According to Jackson, MLBC is comprised of 30-plus Black-elected legislators serving in the Michigan State Senate and Michigan House of Representatives.& The organization fosters valuable partnerships to provide Black citizens of Michigan with equal access, equal justice, and equal opportunity across broad sectors of state government.& MLBC’s legislative policy pillars are rooted in issues centered on civil rights, community safety, and justice, culture, and society, education justice, economic and community advancement, environment, health equity and justice, and immigration and international diaspora relations and advancements. While MLBC’s official website touts an all-Black group of officers, led...