Albany County Office Building | 112 State Street, Room 735 | Albany, NY 12207
518-447-4949 | bria.nickerson@albanycountyny.gov

Carolyn McLaughlin, District 1, Chair
Merton Simpson, District 2, Deputy Chair

The Caucus, which was formed in March 2018, consists of legislators from Majority-Minority Districts who advocate for the interests of their constituents. The LBC acts as a legislative voice for underrepresented communities in Albany County, with a particular focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

One of just two county-level Legislative Black Caucuses in Upstate New York, each year the LBC leads a wide variety of events, including celebrations of Black History Month and Juneteenth, along with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive that supports the Regional Food Bank with thousands of meals for local families in need.

Legislative Focus Areas

• Affordable Housing
• Elder Care
• Environmental Justice
• Health Equity
• Minority Health Equity Task Force

Local Laws Spearheaded

• Local Law C, 2023 -  Senior Citizen Tax Exemption Law
• Local Law E, 2022 - “Omnibus Human Rights Law” - Prevents discrimination by requiring the disclosure of salaries and wages.
• Local Law I, 2021 - “Crown Act” - Prevents discrimination of protective hairstyles and wearing natural hair textures.

Current Members

• Carolyn McLaughlin, District 1, Chair
• Merton Simpson, District 2, Deputy Chair
• Wanda Willingham, District 3
• Mark Robinson, District 4
• Sam Fein, District 6
• Beroro Efekoro, District 7 
• Danielle Gillespie, District 12

Former Members

• William Clay
• Norma Chapman
• Lucille McKnight