Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Released Official Directory
The newly published directory identifies 533 Black elected officials currently serving across Ohio.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in African-American
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The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus has launched a comprehensive directory tracking Black representation in government throughout the state. The project provides residents with a clear view of where Black leaders are serving and where gaps in representation remain.
Why it matters
The directory was created to respond to constituent interest in local governance and to help officials better mobilize support for Black communities. It provides a rare statewide perspective on the current distribution of Black elected leadership.
The directory accounts for 533 Black elected or appointed officials serving a state population that includes 1.8 million Black residents. Currently, 51 of the state’s 88 counties lack any Black representation in elected government roles.
The players
Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
This is a state legislative caucus comprised of Black members of the Ohio General Assembly who coordinate policy efforts.
OLBC Foundation
This organization works in conjunction with the caucus to support research and civic initiatives regarding Black communities.
The details
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and the OLBC Foundation compiled this database to bridge the information gap for residents across the state. This project captures both elected and appointed officials who hold roles typically decided by voters.
Timeline
The directory was released to the public on October 9, 2026.
Willis Blackshear Jr.'s father ended his term of service in 2018.
Culture Shift
This directory marks a shift in how political transparency is handled by advocacy groups to drive future engagement in state governance. It highlights an institutional move to identify and address systemic gaps in representation that have long persisted under the state's election framework.
Residents can now easily identify their local representatives and hold government bodies accountable for diversity in their specific counties. The database offers a practical tool for voters looking to support or contact Black elected officials serving in their immediate area.
The takeaway
This directory empowers voters to better understand the landscape of representation in their own neighborhoods and counties. By centralizing this data, the caucus provides a foundation for more targeted civic involvement and community advocacy across the state.
What happens next
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus intends to update this directory following every subsequent election cycle to ensure the data remains accurate.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's political climate in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4i.
Live Poll
Should government representation reflect the racial diversity of the population it serves?
