When Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D-North Las Vegas) became a lawmaker in 2016, she was one of only three Black members serving in the chamber. She remembers how despite numerous events and days of awareness, it was not until 2019 that lawmakers formally recognized and celebrated Black History Month in the halls of the Capitol.

As the third celebration of Black history takes place Thursday in the Legislature, 10 Black lawmakers are serving in the Assembly and Senate, representing almost 16 percent of lawmakers, a larger share than the statewide population, which is 11 percent Black. 

Voters elected the first Black lawmaker, Assemblyman Woodrow Wilson, to the Legislature in 1966. Still, Monroe-Moreno, who serves as the chair of the Black Legislative Caucus, said Black people have contributed to Nevada since the state was founded, often without recognition.

She said celebrating Black history is vital for shining a light on information often omitted from textbooks. 

“For years we weren’t here … it’s about playing it forward, to make sure that as diverse as Nevada is as a state, that the legislative body and the people working within the Legislature truly represent and reflect the diversity of the community,” Monroe-Moreno said. “If we don’t celebrate who we are, I can’t expect someone else to do it.”

As part of the one-day celebration that includes awards and other recognitions, the Northern Nevada historical preservation nonprofit Our Story will present the history of Black residents in the region. The Legislature will display a collection of historical artifacts connected to Black history and Las Vegas-based theater troupe Broadway in the HOOD (Helping Others Open Doors) will perform.

Legislators will also use the day to highlight proposed measures that align with the goals of the caucus. Monroe-Moreno said the caucus is focused on housing, economic security and education in addition to other issues they believe need to be addressed. As part of that effort, the caucus will review a survey of issues important to the Black community.

One key measure from the caucus is AJR10, a resolution to amend the Nevada Constitution “to remove language authorizing the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.” Lawmakers unanimously passed the resolution in 2021 and, if approved again this session, the proposal will go to the 2024 ballot for Nevada voters to approve.

Assemblyman Howard Watts (D-Las Vegas), one of the measure’s primary sponsors, discussed the history of the constitutional language during a hearing Tuesday. He pointed to the same language in the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which, despite being associated with the abolition of slavery, does not prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.

“This isn't just words. There was a concerted effort following this as Southern states rejoined the union to continue the practice of slavery,” Watts said. “New petty offenses were created and enforced that were specifically targeted to Black citizens, often referred to as the Black Codes … Both state governments and private enterprises profited from the free and forced labor of primarily Black men.”

Watts said he wanted to make it clear that “nobody will ever live through the horror of state-sanctioned slavery or servitude ever again.”

He also pointed to other states eliminating similar language, such as a 2018 Colorado referendum.

After passing out of its first committee Tuesday, the Nevada resolution sponsored by Watts and other members of the Black Legislative Caucus is expected to pass out of the Legislature again this year and head to the general election ballot in 2024.

Monore-Moreno said policies need to reflect the diversity of the community at large. She said having an identity-based caucus such as the Black Legislative Caucus or the LGBTQ+ caucus allows for conversations that shift the narrative and allow people from different backgrounds, cultures, faiths and perspectives to make sure laws and policies reflect their voices and points of view.

“Although we work together, there’s also an individual voice that needs to be heard,” she said. “No one else can tell that voice other than the people who actually live it, have lived it and are still living it.”