By Kathy Wray Coleman, Publisher, Editor-n-Chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Ohio Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-11) (pictured), a Warrensvillle Hts. Democrat, was sworn in last week as  the 123rd chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, an organization of Black members of the United States Congress.

Fudge was elected the chairperson of the powerful group of federal lawmakers by a unanimous vote of her peers. She is the only Black congressperson from Ohio and her 11th congressional district includes the largely Black east side Cleveland and its eastern suburbs of Cuyahoga County and a part of Akron and staggering parts of its Summit County suburbs.

Parts of the city of Akron and Summit County became part of the 11th congressional district, effective this year, due to redistricting by the Ohio State Legislature, which reduced the states's 18 congressional seats to 16 because of population decline.

A causality of the redistricting process was former 10th Congressional District  U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, who lost his seat to 9th Congressional District congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat.

"The congresswoman is pleased that Akron has joined with Cleveland in the 11th congressional district and she will continue to diligently serve all of her constituents," said Belinda Prinz, the communications director for Fudge.

Members of the CBC are mainly Democrats and Fudge is poised to enhanced the political clout of Ohio Democrats since Ohio is a pivotal state for presidential elections.

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