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In the news: Lucas Debarros

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Lucas Debarros has been appointed executive director of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. In his new role, Debarros serves as coordinator of the caucus, helping to coordinate joint actions undertaken by the 13-member body.

Debarros has worked with the Boston-based group, Cape Verdean Community Unido, the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and the Dudley Youth Council. After graduating from Bentley University, Lucas worked in the corporate sector, before serving as a Legislative Aide in the office of state Rep. Evandro Carvalho, where he focused on policy advocacy, constituent services and community engagement for the Fifth Suffolk District.

The Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus was formed in 1973 by seven black legislators who joined together to work toward black empowerment across the state, with priority attention to the problems of Boston’s black community with a view towards developing models for problem-solving and community development. The group’s major goal was to develop a power base which would make the political and legislative process accountable and accessible to the black community.

The group’s priority legislation included employment opportunities, affirmative action programs, housing, human services, and economic development in the inner city. Early members of the MBLC included Sen. Bill Owens, representatives Royal Bolling, Doris Bunte, Mel King, Franklin Holgate, George Johnson and Carter Kimbrel. In July 2009, the MBLC changed its name to the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus following the addition of senators Jarrett Barrios and Sonia Chang-Diaz and representatives Geraldo Alicea, Jeffrey Sanchez and Cheryl Coakley Rivera.