Florida Conference of Black State Legislators

In 1968 Joe Lang Kershaw became the first black to serve in the legislature since 1889 (George A. Lewis & John R. Scott, Jr., 1889). Elected officials to follow were Gwendolyn Sawer-Cherry-1970, Mary Singleton-1972, Arnett Girardeau-1976, John Thomas-1978, Carrie P. Meek-1979 and John “Gus” Plummer-1980. Due to the small number of black legislators, a formal Caucus was not incorporated.

However, in 1982 due to reapportionment nine African Americans were elected to serve in the Florida House of Representatives (Corrine Brown-Jacksonville, James Burke-Miami, Bill Clark-Ft. Lauderdale, James Hargrett, Jr.-Tampa, Doug Jamerson-St. Petersburg, Willie Logan, Jr.-Opa Locka, Alfred Lawson, Jr.-Tallahassee, Jefferson Reaves, Sr.-Miami, and Alzo Reddick-Orlando). This significant increase gave a new total of 12 members and afforded an historical opportunity to construct a Caucus among African American legislators.

Original Black Caucus founded in 1982-Reapportionment Class

Corrine Brown-Jacksonville, James Burke-Miami, Bill Clark-Ft. Lauderdale, Arnett Girardeau-Jacksonville, James Hargrett, Jr.-Tampa, Doug Jamerson-St. Petersburg, Willie Logan, Jr.-Opa Locka, Alfred Lawson, Jr.-Tallahassee, Carrie Meek-Miami, Jefferson Reaves, Sr.-Miami, Alzo Reddick-Orlando and John Thomas-Jacksonville.

In 1986 Donald Gaffney (Jacksonville), was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1988 Betty Holzendorf (Jacksonville), was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1990 Cynthia Moore Chestnut (Gainesville) and Daryl Jones (Miami), were elected to serve in the House of Representatives.

1992 Second Reapportionment Class

Larcenia Bullard-Miami, Beryl Roberts-Miami, James Bush, III-Miami, Mandy Dawson-Ft Lauderdale, Willye Dennis-Jacksonville, Josephus Eggelletion, Jr.-Ft Lauderdale Lakes, Addie Greene-West Palm Beach, Anthony “Tony” Hill-Jacksonville, Matthew Meadows-Ft Lauderdale, Les Miller, Jr.-Tampa, and William “Bill” Turner-Miami. The 1992 Black Caucus had a total of 18 members with the returning member of Al Lawson, Willie Logan, Doug Jamerson, James Hargrett, Betty Holzendorf, Daryl Jones and Cynthia Chestnut.

In 1994 Kendrick Meek (Miami) and Rudolph “Rudy” Bradley (St. Petersburg), were elected to the House of Representatives to give the caucus a total of 20 members.