State Rep. Cherrish Pryor

State Representative Cherrish Pryor has served as a legislator in the Indiana House of Representatives since November 4, 2008. She is currently the Indiana House Democratic Caucus Floor Leader and is a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. Pryor is also a member of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee as well as the Elections and Apportionment Committee and the Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

Cherrish served on the City-County Council of Marion County and Indianapolis from January 2007 to November 2008. Prior to joining the City-County Council, she was employed by that body as the legislative and public affairs director.

Pryor's previous positions include chief deputy for the Marion County Treasurer's Office, real estate manager for the Marion County Auditor’s Office, lobbyist for the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, program director for the State Student Assistance Commission, and legislative assistant for the Indiana House of Representatives.

Pryor currently serves the community through her service on several boards and committees. She serves as a co-founder, board member and former Chair of Hoosier Women Forward. She is also Treasurer of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and state director for both the National Foundation of Women Legislators and the Women Legislators’ Lobby. Additionally, Pryor participates on the board of directors for the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust Fund. She is also a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction; Tillman H. Harpole American Legion Post 249 Auxiliary; the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Indianapolis Chapter; Concerned Clergy; and the Indiana University Alumni Association.

She is an active member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves on the usher board and is the assistant treasurer for that auxiliary. Pryor has also served as a member of the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church board of directors. Other past community involvement includes the Peace Learning Center, Indianapolis Museum of Art Government Relations Committee, National Black MBA Association-Indianapolis Chapter, UNCF Gala Committee, United Way of Central Indiana Governance Committee, Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Committee and Indiana Black Expo’s Black Business Conference Committee.

Pryor is a recipient of many awards, including the Faith-Based President’s Award, Dr. Mozel Sanders Drum Major for Justice Award, Breakthrough Woman Award from the Indianapolis Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and the Crystal Gavel Award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

In 2023, she was named Legislator of the Year by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. In 2015, she was named one of four Legislators of the Year by the Indiana Farm Bureau and a member of Governing Magazine’s Women in Government 2015 class. Marion County Judges named her Legislator of Year in 2010 and she also received an award from Child Advocates for her efforts to improve the lives of children that same year.

Pryor earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in public affairs from IUPUI.