Senator, Ohio State Senate, District 28, 2017-present

Candidate, Ohio State Senate, District 28, 2020

Representative, Ohio State House of Representatives, 2006-2014

Representative, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 34, 1983-2000

Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 34, 1993-1994

Council Member, Akron City Council, Third Ward, 1980-1983

Ranking Member, Community Revitalization Committee

Member, Education Committee

Ranking Member, Finance Committee

Ranking Member, Small Business and Economic Opportunity

Member, State Controlling Board

Former Member, Education Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Education Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Finance Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Chair, Finance and Appropriations Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Joint Committee on E-School Funding, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Joint Committee on Education Oversight, Ohio State Senate

Former Ranking Member, Joint Committee on Education Oversight, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Joint Committee on Medicaid Oversight, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Local Government Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Co-Chair, Ohio Constitution Modernization Commission

Former Member, Public Utilities Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education, Ohio State Senate

Former Chair, Transportation and Urban Affairs Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee, Ohio State Senate

Former Member, Ways and Means Committee, Ohio State Senate

Director, Columbus Program in Intergovernmental Issues, Kent State University, 2001-present

Assistant Professor, Political Science, Kent State University, 2001-present

Assistant Professor, Social Science, Associate Studies Department, University of Akron, 1998-2001

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Political Science, University of Akron, 1981-1998

Planner, Research and Evaluation, Summit County Criminal Justice Commission, 1977-1979

Assistant Fiscal Officer, Summit County Criminal Justice Commission, 1976-1977

Senior Management Specialist, Economic Development Program, United Neighborhood Council, 1975-1976

Member, Advisory Committee, Center for Conflict Management, University of Akron, 1999-present

Member, Board of Visitors, Hiram College, 1999-present

Member, Minority Affairs Advisory Council, The Ohio State University, 1997-present

Member, Advancing Up Program, University of Akron, 1996-present

Member, MSW Visiting Committee, Social Work Department, University of Akron, 1995-present

Member, President's Minority Advisory Council, University of Akron, 1988-present

Member, Akron/Summit Community Action Agency, 1977-present

Member, Advisory Council, United States Postal Service/Customer

Former President, Akron/Summit Community Action Agency

Member, BlancOne Community Advisory Board

Member, Cuyahoga Valley Association

Member, Friends of Wooster Branch Public Library

Member, United Disabilities Services

Member, Western Economic Association International

Member, Human Services Advisory Board, County of Summit, 1985-1997

President, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, 1993-1995

Member, Presidential Rank Review Board, United States Office of Personnel, 1993

Chair, President's Blue Ribbon Task Force, Black Cultural Center, University of Akron, 1991-1992

Chair, Advisory Council, Minority Business Enterprise, 1981-1983

Third Vice Chair, Akron Small Business Corporation, 1981-1983

Member, Northeastern Four County Organization, 1981-1983

Member, Ohio Job Training Coordinating Council, 1982-1983

Member, Advisory Council, Akron/Summit/Medina Employment Training Consortium, 1978-1981

Awards:

Public Elected Official of the Year, National Association of Social Workers, 2012
Democrat of the Year, Summit County Democratic Party, 2009
Outstanding Teacher Award, Kent State University, 2007
Alumni Honor Award, The University of Akron, 2015
Champion for Working Families and Civil Rights Award, Ohio AFL-CIO, 2015