The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus elected a new slate of officers on Thursday, tabbing Democratic Rep. Kabir Karriem of Columbus to serve as chairman.
“Our mission is clear: to advocate for meaningful change and to address the pressing concerns of our communities,” Karriem said. “We are united as one caucus, with a shared commitment to the issues and aspirations of the approximately 1.1 million Black people in Mississippi.”
Joining Karriem as leaders of the caucus are Sen. Rod Hickman (D-Macon) as vice chairman, Rep. Zakiya Summers (D-Jackson) as secretary, Rep. Tamarra G. Butler Washington (D-Jackson) as assistant secretary, Rep. Oscar Denton (D-Vicksburg) as treasurer, Rep. John Faulkner (D-Holly Springs) as parliamentarian, Rep. Robert Sanders (D-Cleveland) as sergeant at arms, and Sen. Gary Brumfield (D-Fayette) as chaplain.
The newly elected leadership team will be sworn in on April 2 inside the state capitol. Four days later, lawmakers are scheduled to sine die and return to their respective districts before offseason meetings and study committees ramp up leading into the 2026 legislative session.
The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus was created in 1976 and is composed of African American lawmakers working to ensure equity, justice, and opportunity for all Mississippians, with a particular focus on underserved and historically marginalized communities.
