By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (D-MD-District 20), who has chaired the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland since 2022, has announced her decision to step down from the role after being selected to serve as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Appointed by Speaker of the House Joseline Pena Melnyk, Wilkins previously served as Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee.
Wilkins was first elected to the 20th District of Montgomery County in 2017.
Wilkins stated the following about her time as chair of the Caucus:
“Under my leadership, we have built upon previous efforts and become stronger by recognizing the importance of clear vision, not just numbers and working across the aisles. This clarity has enabled us to advance legislation such as The Second Look Act, which addresses the disproportionate number of Black individuals in Maryland’s prisons.
We have also worked on several pieces of health-related legislation, like expanding health insurance coverage for breast cancer, an area where data reveals higher mortality rates among Black women. We protected historically Black college funding and program duplication. Additionally, there was progress on The Reparations Commission, which became law during the special session on Dec. 18, 2025. We have worked together with purpose.”
Members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, the largest in the country with 67 members, thanked Wilkins for her service. Under her leadership, the caucus supported over 40 bills and budget items.
“Since assuming the chairmanship in December 2022, Chair Wilkins has led the Caucus through a transformational period of expanded influence, lasting impact, and deepened community engagement across Maryland. Her tenure marks a defining era for the Caucus, characterized by an intentional focus on the Caucus’ policy agenda, unwavering unity behind its purpose, and connection to the communities we serve,” said Ufuoma O. Agarin, J.D., executive director of the Caucus, in a statement. “From the outset of her leadership, Chair Wilkins brought a vision that was both expansive and grounded, strengthening the Caucus internally while elevating its stature within the General Assembly and across the state. Central to Chair Wilkins’ tenure was the successful advancement of a comprehensive legislative agenda focused on equity, economic opportunity, and improving outcomes for Black Marylanders.”
Wilkins is scheduled to relinquish the gavel upon the election of a new Chair of the Maryland Black Caucus in the coming weeks.