Shackleford selected to lead Indiana Black Legislative Caucus

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Indiana House since 2012, has been selected to lead the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC).

During an organizational meeting of the group today, IBLC members also elected:

      Vice-Chair: State Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. (D-East Chicago), just elected to his second term in the Indiana House.

      Treasurer: State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary), just elected to her first term in the House.

      Chaplain: State Rep. Carolyn B. Jackson (D-Hammond), just elected to her first term in the House.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the IBLC into the future,” said Shackleford, who succeeds State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) as chair. “Rep. Pryor has set a high bar of accomplishment, but I pledge that the IBLC will continue to serve as a voice for change for minority communities across this state.”

The IBLC now numbers 15 members. Hatcher has succeeded State Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary) in the Third House District, while Jackson now represents the First House District.

“We will continue to be an active voice on such issues as civil rights, economic development, access to health care, and education during the 2019 legislative session,” Shackleford said. “In particular, we shall be striving to pass hate crimes legislation…once and for all. We are pleased that Gov. Eric Holcomb has identified hate crimes protections as one of his priorities for the upcoming year, and we will be ready to work with him to see that this promise finally comes true.”

Shackleford said the IBLC will be outlining its agenda for the 2019 session in the weeks to come.

“In addition, we intend to put more power behind our agenda by implementing advocacy programs in our communities, and building partnerships with other minority groups,” Shackleford added. “We also intend to continue our successful town hall meetings from past years to give the public more information about what is going on at the Legislature, and get their input on what we need to be doing in Indianapolis and across the state.”