NASHVILLE - Rep. JoAnne Favors of Chattanooga was elected today as vice chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators.
Rep. Raumesh Akbari of Memphis was elected chair, replacing Rep. Brenda Gilmore of Nashville who did not seek another term.
Akbari, the former vice chair, thanked colleagues and said in a statement that because the caucus representing members in all three of the state's grand division as well as urban and rural district
Akbari said the Black Caucus' representation in all three of Tennessee's grand divisions and urban and rural members provides a "collective perspective that gives us strength."
"Working together, we will aggressively fight for our legislative agenda and for African Americans across this state," Akbari pledged.
Other officers elected are:
- Caucus Treasurer-Rep. Johnnie Turner of Memphis
- Caucus Secretary-Rep. Barbara Cooper of Memphis
- Parliamentarian-Rep. Joe Towns Jr. of Memphis
- Sergeant-At-Arms-Rep. Antonio Parkinson of Memphis
- Chaplin-Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar