Pryor elected chair of Indiana Black Legislative Caucus

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Indiana House since 2008, has been elected the new leader of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC).

Caucus members selected Pryor as the group’s chair during an IBLC organizational meeting on Tuesday. She succeeds State Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago) as leader of the 13-member group.

Other IBLC officers selected Tuesday were:

Vice-Chair: State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Indiana House since 2012.
Treasurer: State Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Indiana Senate since 2008.
Chaplain: State Sen. Eddie Melton (D-Merrillville), just elected to his first term in the Indiana Senate.

“I am pleased and honored to be chosen to lead the IBLC into the future,” Pryor said. “We appreciate the hard work and leadership of Sen. Randolph over the last four years and will continue to build on critical ideas that he established.

“My pledge is that the IBLC will serve as an active voice for minority communities across the state of Indiana,” she continued. “We have entered into uncertain times, especially at the national level, and the IBLC stands ready to commit to protecting the rights of minorities in such areas as civil rights, economic development, and education. We fully intend to stand up and be heard, starting in the 2017 legislative session.

“I am particularly excited to see our group has gained several new members,” Pryor said. “Along with Sen. Melton, who has taken the place of our good friend and cherished colleague Earline Rogers, we also are pleased to welcome State Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. (D-East Chicago), who continues the fine tradition of public service established by his father Earl and mother Donna. We also are delighted to gain the wisdom and insight from State Rep. Joe Taylor (D-South Bend). We look forward to their active participation in keeping the IBLC moving forward.”

Pryor said the IBLC would be outlining its agenda for the 2017 session in the weeks to come.