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. 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), Lucas DeBarros (2010s) and currently Kyéra Sterling
History section provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts List of Black Members of the General Court 1867-1987. A full list of past MBLLC members can be found on our "Members" page linked here.
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), Lucas DeBarros (2010s) and currently Kyéra Sterling
History section provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts List of Black Members of the General Court 1867-1987. A full list of past MBLLC members can be found on our "Members" page linked here.
MBLLC Executive Director:
Kyéra Sterling
Executive Director Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus Massachusetts State House, Room 460 Phone: 617-722-2688 Fax- 617-626-0875 Email- Kyera.Sterling@malegislature.gov |
Kyéra Sterling has served at nearly every level of state and local government. She has served the Boston City Council working under then-Councilor At-Large Ayanna Pressley followed by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women where she helped foster the early stages of the 2015 Pay Equity Coalition.
She has also volunteered for a swath of political campaigns including Juliette Kayyem’s 2014 gubernatorial bid. In 2015, Sterling went on to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and in 2016, was elected a Massachusetts delegate to the Democratic Presidential Convention. In 2019, she completed her Master’s in English Literature and Film at UMass Boston with a central focus on literature and film of the Black diaspora. Sterling is also a 2015 graduate of Emmanuel College where she studied political science and first discovered her passion for political equity. She aims to foster community through an ethic of care in all pursuits. |
