Sen. Acosta and Rep. Felix elected co-chairs of RI Black and Latino Caucus
From the left: Rep. Jose Batista, Rep. Raymond A. Hull, Sen. Victoria Gu, Rep. Leonela Felix, Rep. Brianna E. Henries, Rep. Karen Alzate, Rep. Marvin L. Abney, Rep. Jennifer Stewart, Sen. Robert Britto, Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa, Rep. Nathan W. Biah, Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo, Sen. Tiara Mack, Sen. Jonathon Acosta, Rep. David Morales and Rep. Enrique Sanchez.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Charlestown's Victoria Gu and her newly elected Senate colleague Linda Ujifusa (Portsmouth, Bristol) are the first two Asian-Americans ever elected to the RI General Assembly. It might be time for the Caucus to consider a name change. - Will Collette
Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and
Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket) have been elected as the co-chairs
of the Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus by their fellow caucus
members. The previous chair was Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60,
Pawtucket).
“It is a tremendous honor to be elected by our peers as the new co-chairs of
the RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus and we are eager to continue the
caucus’s work during the new legislative session. There are still so many
challenges facing Rhode Island’s community of color and the caucus is committed
to working with the General Assembly and all of the dedicated community
organizations to continue advocating for the voiceless at the State House,
ensuring that every Rhode Islander is treated with dignity, respect and
compassion,” said Senator Acosta and Representative Felix.
“I know that both Representative Felix and Senator Acosta will do an incredible
job continuing the important work of the caucus over their leadership
term. We made great strides over the past two years, in particular when
confronting the inequities regarding the pandemic, and I am looking forward to
working with both co-chairs to continue the caucus’s positive momentum into
2023,” said Representative Alzate.
In addition to Representatives Felix and Alzate and Senator Acosta, the caucus includes Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown); Rep. Jose F. Batista (D-Dist. 12, Providence); Rep. Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence); Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence); Rep. Joshua Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls); Rep. Rep. Brianna E. Henries (D-Dist. 64, East Providence); Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence); Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence); Rep. Ramon A. Perez (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston); Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket); Sen. Tiara T. Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence) and Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence).
Reps. Enrique Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence); Cheri L.
Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket) and Jennifer Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) and
Sens. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket), Victoria Gu
(D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Linda L. Ujifusa
(D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) are the newest members of the caucus.
The Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus
(RILBLC) represents and advocates for the interests of disadvantaged people
throughout the State of Rhode Island. It seeks to increase a diverse
participation and representation in all levels of government. The goal is to
close, and ultimately to eliminate, disparities that still exist between white
and non-white Americans in every aspect of life.