Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus
Accomplishments
The number of African-American legislators has increased tremendously since the inception of the LLBC. This growth is attributed to the LLBC's legislative skill and wisdom. For example, the Black Caucus successfully passed reapportionment legislation in 1983 and 1990, which established more African-American legislative districts, thus allowing for the election of more African-American representatives and senators. Currently the Louisiana Legislature has thirty-two (36) African-American members consisting of ten (10) senators and twenty-six (26) representatives.
Beyond reapportionment, the LLBC has made other major accomplishments, which include:
Expanding Voting Rights
Since 1977, the LLBC has championed measures to dismantle barriers—registering tens of thousands, securing early-voting reforms, and restoring disenfranchised citizens’ ballot access statewide.
Enhancing HBCUs
The Caucus has consistently fought for increased state appropriations, scholarship funding, and capital for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), ensuring academic excellence and growth.
Recasting Employment Opportunities in the Workplace
Through landmark EEO provisions and state hiring incentives, LLBC has opened government and private-sector pipelines for African-American professionals to advance into leadership roles.
Eliminating Jim Crow Laws
Over decades, LLBC sponsored the repeal of outdated segregation statutes, scrubbing Louisiana’s code of discriminatory language and honoring true legal equality under state law.
Increasing Minority Business Opportunities
By establishing MBE certification programs, procurement set-aside goals, and technical-assistance grants, the Caucus has empowered generations of Black entrepreneurs to compete for public contracts.
Fighting Against Apartheid in South Africa
LLBC passed formal legislative resolutions condemning apartheid, coordinated state divestment policies, and raised public awareness in solidarity with global anti-apartheid movements.
Helping Indigent Families Access Services
Through expanded Medicaid eligibility, education grants, and targeted economic-development zones, the Caucus has improved healthcare, job training, and school-to-career pathways for Louisiana’s poorest households.
Developing Drug Rehabilitation Programs
Partnering with state agencies, LLBC has secured funding for community-based treatment centers, aftercare services, and prevention education addressing addiction in underresourced neighborhoods.
Proposing Tougher Crime-Fighting Laws
The Caucus has authored and backed bills imposing stiffer sentences for violent offenses, while also advocating for restorative justice pilot programs to reduce recidivism.
Assisting Black Farmers and Landowners
LLBC led efforts to create state agricultural equity funds, legal aid clinics, and low-interest lending pools, safeguarding land titles and livelihoods of African-American farmers.
Defending Affirmative Action
Since the ’80s, the Caucus has opposed every legislative attempt to dismantle affirmative action or minority set-asides, preserving diversity in education and government contracting.
Protecting Black-Majority Districts
LLBC has repeatedly intervened in redistricting debates—through testimony, lawsuits, and coalition-building—to ensure two congressional seats remain majority-African-American.
Opposing Exit-Exam Mandates
The Caucus has fought legislation requiring high-stakes exit exams, pushing instead for alternative assessments and support services that fairly gauge student achievement.