Mission and Purpose

Formally known as the Black Elected Democrats of Ohio (BEDO), the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) was founded in 1967 by African American state legislators under the leadership of State Representative C.J. McLin of Dayton, Ohio (Deceased).  The purpose for establishing OLBC was to recognize and address the hopes, aspirations and needs of African Americans in Ohio.  Today, the organization continues to help ensure equality for all citizens by promoting, fostering and sponsoring educational, civic and political initiatives. Its primary focus is public policy advocacy and development, as well as, significant involvement in state and national electoral politics.

Over the past 40 years, OLBC’s achievements have included obtaining increased funding for medical research, creating special subsidies in higher education for minority youth, and creating the nation’s most successful minority business set aside law. Through the vision and leadership of OLBC members, the Ohio General Assembly formed the Commission on Minority Health and the Commission on African American Males – both serve as national models.

Today, OLBC has seventeen executive committee members who serve as legislators in the Ohio General Assembly. Twelve are members of the Ohio House of Representatives and five are members of the Ohio Senate. Collectively, OLBC members represent over 2.5 million constituents. There are OLBC chapters in the cities of Lima and Youngstown-Warren, and Stark County, Ohio.

OLBC members have also been elected by their peers to be leaders within the larger House and Senate Democratic Caucuses. Representative Joyce Beatty serves as the Ohio House Democratic Leader and Fred Strahorn serves as Assistant Minority Whip. In the Ohio Senate, Tom Roberts serves as Assistant Minority Leader, Ray Miller as Minority Whip and Lance Mason as Assistant Minority Whip.

OLBC created the OLBC Foundation in 2000 as a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life of African American residents of Ohio by sponsoring activities designed to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. For more information go to www.olbcfoundation.org