Foundation Board Members
Senator Royce West, Chairman
Royce West was first elected to the Texas Senate in November 1992. Since taking office he has represented the 23rd Senatorial District on behalf of the citizens of Dallas County in the Texas Legislature.
In addition to his senatorial duties, Senator West is a partner in the law firm of West & Associates, L.L.P. He is also a caring father to his children and devoted husband to Carol R. West, CPA, as well as an active deacon of Good Street Baptist Church.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Chair-Elect
Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s legacy is one built from strong principles of faith, an unwavering defense of freedom, and a staunch belief in fairness. She exemplifies the American ideal that one person can make a difference. She is a true Texas Treasure and has become one of the best symbols of all that is possible.
Texas native Senfronia Thompson was born in Booth, Texas and raised in Houston. She represents District 141, which includes Northeast Houston and Humble. Rep. Thompson has the distinct honor of being the longest-serving woman and African-American in Texas history. A Houston attorney, Rep. Thompson is currently serving her 24th term in the Texas House of Representatives.
Rep. Harold Dutton, Past Chairman
Representative Dutton is a graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he was inducted into “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.” Dutton, an Adjunct Professor at the TSU Law School, is a Member of the Texas Bar Association, the Houston Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. Dutton operates the Law Offices of Harold V. Dutton, Jr. and Associates.
Our Team
Rudolph K. Metayer, Senior Advisor
The son of Haitian immigrants, Rudy is of the first generation in his family to complete higher education, graduating from not only the University of Texas College of Liberal Arts with a B.A., but also a Master in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law.
He has been a tireless advocate in the community speaking and working on a host of issues ranging from teaching at-risk children, co-authoring an honor code for the University of Texas, helping forge a partnership with local law enforcement and the State Bar of Texas to address the issue of community policing, and creating Pro Bono legal advice clinics for United States Military Veterans.
Miriam Laeky, Executive Director
Miriam Laeky (pronounced "Lucky") currently serves as the Executive Director of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and Texas Black Caucus Foundation. Founded in 1973, the TxLBC is a bipartisan, bicameral organization comprised of 19 Black Texas state lawmakers. Through the organization's commitment to equitable social impact, she was recently named to the inaugural 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 Local List. She previously served as Operations Director of the Texas House Democratic Caucus and Community Engagement Coordinator for Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Miriam is originally from Allen, TX and is a proud first-generation Ethiopian/Eritrean-American.
Senator Borris Miles
A lifelong resident of Houston, Senator Borris L. Miles was elected to the Texas Senate in 2016 after serving four terms in the Texas House of Representatives. Miles was first elected to serve as the State Representative for District 146 in November 2006. He was re-elected in November 2010, and was sworn back into the House of Representatives in January 2011 and again in January 2013.
Miles is a successful businessman and developer, owning one of the largest insurance agencies in Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and criminal science from Sam Houston State University.
Archbishop Sterling Lands
Dr. Sterling Lands II is the Presiding Bishop of theFamily Life International Fellowship, International Conference of Bishops Inc, and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. John the Baptist, EEC. He is the Founding Pastor of Greater Calvary Bible Church of Austin, Texas and has 51 years of experience in pastoral ministry and executive leadership.
He served as the National President of the Association for Nonviolent Social Change of America, and the Missouri State President of the Martin Luther King Jr Center for Nonviolent Social Change. He was involved in the 1961 sit-in’s civil rights protest.
Dr. Lands has a Bachelors Degree in Electronics from the Southern University A&M School of Engineering and Technology, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Master’s International School of Divinity, Evansville, Indiana.
Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Secretary-Treasurer
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins is the State Representative for Texas's 120th House District, which includes parts of San Antonio and Converse, and encompasses Windcrest and Kirby.
A leader in the community since 1981, Barbara is a passionate educator and businesswoman holding a Bachelor's Degree in Business, a Master's Degree in Education, and finalizing her PhD in Leadership as well as holding certifications as a math teacher and as a principal.
As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Barbara currently serves on the House Appropriations and Ways & Means committees. She also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Article III Subcommittee. Additionally, she serves on the House Democratic Special Committee on Clean Air, Clean Water, & Climate Change. Barbara proudly serves as member of the House Democratic Caucus, in which she serves as Vice-Deputy Whip, Texas Veterans' Caucus, Women’s Health Caucus, LGBTQ Caucus, Innovation and Technology Caucus, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus
Rep. Ron Reynolds
Representative Reynolds is currently serving his seventh term in the Texas House. He is the first African American State Representative in Fort Bend County since Reconstruction. He served as the House Minority Whip during the 83rd & 84th Legislative sessions. Reynolds is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and 100 Black Men of America.
Reynolds is the Chair, Texas Legislative Black Caucus and Vice Chair of the Texas Energy & Climate Caucus. Founder and past Chair, Texas House Progressive Caucus. He also serves as the Legislative Leader for the Texas State NAACP and the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats.
Prior to being elected State Representative Reynolds was an Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Houston, Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association and Past President of the Missouri City & Vicinity NAACP.