Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus

2021-2022 History and Legislative Guiding Principles

History and Purpose

After meeting in secrecy for several years, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus was formally organized by then House Majority Leader K. Leroy Irvis during the 1973-74 legislative session. The founding members saw the need for the caucus because they felt that legislators representing minority districts needed to speak with a united voice regarding the issues and concerns of their constituents.

Today, the PLBC includes more than 30 members, representing urban, suburban and rural districts across the Commonwealth. Our members serve in leadership roles throughout the state legislature- as party caucus leaders, committee and delegation chairs, and appointees to various commissions and special committees. As our membership grows, becomes more diverse, and attains higher levels of leadership in the state legislature, the PLBC remains committed to:

• Providing legislative, administrative and other supportive services to our members and their staff; and
• Advancing, or when necessary defeating, legislation and policy that impacts the Commonwealth’s Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities.

Legislative Guiding Principles

Each legislative session, PLBC members sponsor legislation to eliminate disparities or create opportunities for BIPOC Pennsylvanians.

To this end, the PLBC works to advance an anti-racist, equitable, restorative, and reform-minded approach to legislation. We collaborate with BIPOC stakeholders, rely on inclusive data and research, and prioritize investments in our families, businesses and communities.