MBLLC Mission:
The
Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus shall define, highlight and
analyze those issues and concerns affecting people of color in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Caucus shall seek to develop a sense of political
awareness among its constituents and to make the political and legislative
process accountable and accessible for those who have been disenfranchised.
MBLLC History:
In January 1973, the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus (MBLC) was formed by seven Black legislators who joined together to work toward Black empowerment across the State of Massachusetts, with priority attention to the problems of Boston’s Black community with a view towards developing models for problem-solving/community development. Their major goal was to develop a power base which would make the political and legislative process accountable and accessible to the Black community. Their priority legislation included employment opportunities, Affirmative Action programs, housing, human services, and economic development in the inner city. Members of the MBLC included Senator Bill Owens, Representatives Royal Bolling, Doris Bunte, Mel King, Franklin Holgate, George Johnson, Carter Kimbrel.[1] In July 2009, the MBLC changed its name to the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) following the addition of Latino legislators Senators Jarrett Barrios and Sonia Chang-Diaz and Representatives Geraldo Alicea, Jeffrey Sanchez, and Cheryl Coakley Rivera.
The MBLLC hires one staffer to serve as Executive Director who oversees Caucus activities. MBLLC Executive Directors included Bettye Robinson (1980s), Boyce Slayman (1990s), Lori Nelson (2000s), Marvin Venay (2000s), Sibusisiwe Malaba (2010s), and currently Lucas DeBarros (as of 2018).
[1] History section provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts List of Black Members of the General Court 1867-1987
The MBLLC hires one staffer to serve as Executive Director who oversees Caucus activities. MBLLC Executive Directors included Bettye Robinson (1980s), Boyce Slayman (1990s), Lori Nelson (2000s), Marvin Venay (2000s), Sibusisiwe Malaba (2010s), and currently Lucas DeBarros (as of 2018).
[1] History section provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts List of Black Members of the General Court 1867-1987
MBLLC Executive Director:
Lucas DeBarros
Executive Director Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus Massachusetts State House, Room 460 Phone: 617-722-2688 Fax- 617-626-0875 Email- mablacklatinocaucus@gmail.com |
Serving as the Executive Director for the MBLLC, Lucas carries on the passion and commitment to advocacy which he has championed throughout his life. He first learned about the importance of public service as he witnessed community leaders in the Dudley Street area of Boston create substantial change for all residents of the neighborhood. This motivated him to seek out his own path by focusing on youth engagement.
Proud of his Cape Verdean heritage, Lucas was happy to start his career at Boston based Cape Verdean Community Unido where he held his first job. He later went on to work with groups such as the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and the Dudley Youth Council. Graduating from Bentley University, Lucas ventured into the corporate world before returning to serve the community where he initially laid his roots. As a Legislative Aide for State Representative Evandro Carvalho he focused on policy advocacy, constituent services, and community engagement for the Fifth Suffolk District in Boston. |
MBLLC IN THE NEWS
*click the article titles to be directed to the full story
House Passes Legislation to Create Automatic Voter Registration in Massachusetts
The Valley Patriot
"“Making voting easier, while also making elections more secure is paramount to any democracy. This bill ensures we work with cities and towns across the Commonwealth as we implement automatic voter registration. This legislation will benefit the Commonwealth for years to come by increasing voter participation, and I thank Speaker DeLeo for his leadership and support of this critical initiative,” said Representative Moran."
A program exists to save Puerto Rico. Make it law
The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus
The Boston Globe
6.22.2018
"This is about getting families out of hotels and into somewhere they can comfortably call home. Whatever cost we may incur from such a program will pale in comparison to the inevitable costs associated with the array of consequences that arise from homelessness as these families leave their hotels. The treatment of the people of Puerto Rico thus far has been unacceptable. It is time we stand up as a nation to make a much needed change."
Panel calls for system to hold bad police officers accountable
Jordan Frias
Spare Change News
6.6.2018
“We’ve done some changes obviously with criminal justice,” said panelist and state representative Russell E. Holmes. “But we must strike a balance between the way the communities see themselves being policed and the way police see themselves as they police our communities.”
Boston honors MLK on 50th anniversary of his death
WCVB5
4.4.2018
VIDEO: On the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, his fight for economic and racial justice and equality, state leaders including the Black and Latino legislative Caucus, came together.
Gloria Fox ends 30-year legislative career
Yawu Miller
The Bay State Banner
12.21.2016
"Fox’s career has stretched back from the heyday of what then was the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, when her colleagues, including representatives Mel King and Saundra Graham and Sen. Bill Owens, pressed forward with an aggressive civil rights agenda, to the current era of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus."
Black and Latino Caucus growing in clout, membership
Yawu Miller
The Bay State Banner
2.11.2015
"While the Caucus membership represents a small sliver of the 160 House members and 40 senators in the 200-person Legislature, the group’s unity, institutional memory and laser-like focus on urban issues give the members an edge."
House Passes Legislation to Create Automatic Voter Registration in Massachusetts
The Valley Patriot
"“Making voting easier, while also making elections more secure is paramount to any democracy. This bill ensures we work with cities and towns across the Commonwealth as we implement automatic voter registration. This legislation will benefit the Commonwealth for years to come by increasing voter participation, and I thank Speaker DeLeo for his leadership and support of this critical initiative,” said Representative Moran."
A program exists to save Puerto Rico. Make it law
The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus
The Boston Globe
6.22.2018
"This is about getting families out of hotels and into somewhere they can comfortably call home. Whatever cost we may incur from such a program will pale in comparison to the inevitable costs associated with the array of consequences that arise from homelessness as these families leave their hotels. The treatment of the people of Puerto Rico thus far has been unacceptable. It is time we stand up as a nation to make a much needed change."
Panel calls for system to hold bad police officers accountable
Jordan Frias
Spare Change News
6.6.2018
“We’ve done some changes obviously with criminal justice,” said panelist and state representative Russell E. Holmes. “But we must strike a balance between the way the communities see themselves being policed and the way police see themselves as they police our communities.”
Boston honors MLK on 50th anniversary of his death
WCVB5
4.4.2018
VIDEO: On the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, his fight for economic and racial justice and equality, state leaders including the Black and Latino legislative Caucus, came together.
Gloria Fox ends 30-year legislative career
Yawu Miller
The Bay State Banner
12.21.2016
"Fox’s career has stretched back from the heyday of what then was the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, when her colleagues, including representatives Mel King and Saundra Graham and Sen. Bill Owens, pressed forward with an aggressive civil rights agenda, to the current era of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus."
Black and Latino Caucus growing in clout, membership
Yawu Miller
The Bay State Banner
2.11.2015
"While the Caucus membership represents a small sliver of the 160 House members and 40 senators in the 200-person Legislature, the group’s unity, institutional memory and laser-like focus on urban issues give the members an edge."
