As a long-time legislator and chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), I know first-hand the issues plaguing Hoosiers. Every day, Indiana residents are struggling with rising costs of living, higher utility bills and sky-high health care costs

Today, Gov. Mike Braun called legislators back to the Statehouse for a special session to redraw Indiana's congressional maps mid-decade

Today, Aug. 7, Gov. Mike Braun met with Vice President JD Vance regarding the possibility of a special session to redistrict Indiana's congressional maps.

When Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order earlier this year banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and programs in state agencies, we in the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) saw the writing on the wall. As a longtime lawmaker and chair of the IBLC, I know that nothing done in this building exists in a vacuum. This order from Gov. Braun signaled not only his willingness to comply with hyper-partisan D.C. culture wars, but his willingness to put politics over the lives and wellbeing of the Hoosiers he was elected to serve.

On June 30, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) announced that more than 400 degree programs across six of Indiana's universities will be either eliminated, suspended or merged due to a statute in the state budget. The statute set a minimum threshold of graduates for all degree programs. Impacted programs include special education, policy, mathematics, African American studies, religious studies and various disciplines of engineering.

On June 19, 1865, African Americans enslaved in Galveston, Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery signed two years prior. Since then, June 19 – or "Juneteenth" – has been celebrated as a day of freedom throughout the country.

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will host seven town halls throughout the state this summer to discuss the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly and answer questions from constituents.

Last week, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared a video to his social media pages including incorrect information on the 3/5 Compromise following a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) mentioning the political move on the Senate floor. Beckwith claimed the 3/5 Compromise was a tool used by the North in the Civil War to eradicate slavery.

Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the biennial budget to the governor's desk. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) voted against the budget, citing inadequate funding for public education, public health and stripped funding for Public Broadcasting Services.