NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Several Democratic state lawmakers from Tennessee have been elected to leadership roles within the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Rep. Raumesh Akbari (RAH-mesh Ahk-BAR-ee) was elected treasurer of the national organization at its 40th annual legislative conference in New Orleans last week. Fellow Memphis Rep. Larry Miller was name regional vice chair.

Reps. Brenda Gilmore of Nashville and Karen Camper and G. A. Hardaway of Memphis were named executive members at large.

Gilmore, who is the chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus, says the Tennessee lawmakers' election to leadership roles with the National Black Caucus "shows the great influence that African-American lawmakers from this state are having on the national stage."