Former Ohio State Rep. C.J. Prentiss remembered

By John Meacham, Executive Director

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus    

COLUMBUS– Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) mourns the passing of former State Representative and State Senator C.J. Prentiss, a dedicated public servant known for her diligent work ethic and strong commitment to Ohio’s underserved communities.   

Serving from 1991 to 1998 in the Ohio House and 1999 to 2006 in the Ohio Senate, she represented the 21st Senate District, also holding the position of Senate Minority Leader and OLBC President. Senator Prentiss was deeply involved in committees and organizations, including the OLBC Foundation, where she led efforts to address educational disparities as President.

Prior to serving in the General Assembly, Prentiss was an elected member to the State Board of Education where she served a six-year term from 1985-1990. She was a member of the Reference, Rules, Joint Legislative Ethics, and Legislative Service Commission committees. Her special appointments have included the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Financing Student Success, the OhioReads Council, the Governor’s Commission on Teaching Success, the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund and the Predicate Study Steering Committee.

Prentiss was president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) Foundation for four years, during which OLCB established a Minority Business Enterprise Roundtable and a Corporate Roundtable that address and develop policy issues for the caucus.     

She received the Legislator of the Year Award by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) at its 2001 Convention for, among many accomplishments, her work in leading the publication of Closing the Achievement Gap; the NBCSL Roundtable Award; the Cleveland State Civic Achievement Award; the African American Women’s Agenda Woman of the Year Award; the Ohio Hunger Task Force Legislator of the Year Award; the Greater Cleveland AIDS Taskforce “A Voice Against the Silence” Award; the Glenville Hall of Fame Award; and the McDonald’s Black History Makers of Tomorrow Program Award.

She received her B.A. in Education and M.Ed. from Cleveland State University. She held a post-graduate certificate in Administration from Kent State University and is a graduate of the Weatherhead School of Management of the Case Western Reserve Advanced Management Program.

“The members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus extend our heartfelt condolences to Senator Prentiss’s family, friends and colleagues. Her contributions to education, social justice, and much more, have left a lasting impact on the State of Ohio. Her dedication to representing marginalized voices and improving our state will be remembered and cherished. Sen. Prentiss’s legacy of service and advocacy will continue to inspire us all,” said President Upchurch.