TENNESSEE BLACK CAUCUS OF STATE LEGISLATORS
(TBCSL) 111th General Assembly at Tennessee State Capitol.
(Sitting L-R)
Representative London Lamar, Secretary
Representative Barbara Cooper
Representative Karen Camper
Senator Katrina Robinson
(Standing L-R)
Representative Larry J. Miller
Representative John Deberry
Representative Yusef Hakeem
Representative Rick Staples, Vice-chairman
Senator Raumesh A. Akbari, Chairwoman Emeritus
Representative G. A. Hardaway Sr., Chairman
Representative Joe Towns
Representative Vincent Dixie, Treasurer
Representative Jesse Chism, Parliamentarian
Representative Antonio Parkinson
Representative Harold Love, Chaplain
(Unavailable)
Senator Brenda Gilmore
Representative Johnny Shaw
(Bust) Representative Sampson Wesley Keeble, May 18, 1833 – June 19, 1887
Sampson W. Keeble was elected to represent Davidson County in the 38th Tennessee General Assembly, 1873-1874. He was the first black Tennessean to serve in the state legislature. A Tennessee Historical Commission marker in downtown Nashville, near a one-time Keeble family home on South Broadway, proclaims,
Sampson W. Keeble, barber, businessman, and civic leader became the first African-American to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. Serving from 1873 to 1875, Keeble was appointed to the House Military Affairs Committee and the Immigration Committee. After service in the legislature, he was elected magistrate in Davidson County and served from 1877 to 1882.