Barbara Blackmon

Attorney Barbara

Barbara Blackmon

Barbara Blackmon earned a B.S. degree from Jackson State University when she was 19 years old. She furthered her education at the University of Alabama where she obtained a Master’s in Business Administration at age 20. Barbara then worked as a college instructor where many of her students were older than she. Continuing her thirst for learning, Barbara began her studies at the University of Santa Clara Law School and completed them at the University of Mississippi where she garnered a Juris Doctorate Degree. She was on the University of Mississippi Law Journal staff. Always striving to achieve more, Barbara was admitted to the prestigious New York University Tax Law Program and received a LL.M. degree in Taxation. Barbara Blackmon is a distinguished member of the Mississippi State Bar as well as the New York State Bar. Barbara was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Tougaloo College.

Barbara returned home to Jackson, Mississippi and began her legal career developing tax clients and providing competent and courteous representation. Always aware that to whom much is given, much is required; Barbara was compelled to use her expertise to educate her community about the importance of asset building, estate planning and tax planning.

Barbara Blackmon is presently the Managing Partner of Blackmon and Blackmon, PLLC, a small, but aggressive law firm in Canton, Mississippi that does plaintiff and defense work, representing many Fortune 500 clients. Barbara, along with her husband, Edward Blackmon, Jr. is the General Counsel for the General Missionary Baptist State Convention as well as City Attorneys for Carthage, and Magnolia.

Breaking barriers come easy to Barbara Blackmon. In 1992, she was elected the first Black woman to represent Madison, Yazoo and Holmes counties in the Mississippi State Senate.

Barbara Blackmon initially represented Madison, Yazoo, and Holmes County in 1993. As a result of redistricting, she was pitted against the President Pro Tempore of the Senate the same year and defeated him representing Madison, Humphreys and Yazoo Counties for 12 years.

As a state senator, she worked to increase funding for all of Mississippi’s state colleges and universities. She supported the Mississippi Adequate Education Plan to provide equity to poorer school districts and was a champion for senior citizens and children by being a strong and effective voice for sound health care policies. Lt. Governor Eddie Briggs recognized Barbara’s vast business and legal capacity and because of her significant business background, Senator Blackmon was appointed to the powerful Senate Finance Committee where as a newly minted senator she was appointed Vice Chair where she advocated for more economic development in the poorer areas of the state as well as record construction investments at Mississippi’s universities and junior colleges. Lt. Governor Eddie Briggs, also, appointed Barbara to the Legislative Budget Committee and was the first female ever appointed to the Committee from the State Senate. The Committee sets the State’s Budget prior to the Legislature convening. Barbara Blackmon was the first Black in the Senate to be appointed to a subcommittee chair on the Appropriations Committee where she oversaw over $350 million in agency budgets.

As a continuation of her public service, Richboy Entertainment, Inc. launched “The Barbara Blackmon Show” which aired April, 2006 as a news program featuring local and state policy makers, discussing the issues of the day and educating Mississippians on public policies that would enhance the quality of life in the state. The show aired in 68 of the state’s 82 counties each Sunday morning.

Barbara Blackmon served as President of the National Black Caucus of States Institute, a public policy think tank which developed parallel to the National Black Caucus of State Legislators from 2002-2010. She is a former Co-Chair of the National Campaign for Jackson State University’s $50 Million Campaign for scholarships, endowments and programs and served on the Board of Directors for the Jackson State University Foundation. She served on the steering committee for the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi. She has served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Capitol Area, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi, the Stewpot of Canton, the American Red Cross Central Mississippi Chapter and as President of the Foundation for Education and Economic Development among other community and professional associations.

Barbara and her husband Edward Blackmon, Jr. received an award for Black Philanthropy for having given $1,000,000.00 to Tougaloo College, $750,000.00 to Jackson State University, and providing scholarships and awards to 53 students through their previous Foundation.

She was the 2003 Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi. Barbara Blackmon was the first Black ever to hold that honor. Her run inspired young people of all ages to dream and know that you can achieve that dream. Barbara Blackmon successfully ran for the State Senate in 2015 defeating the incumbent. She presently represents Attala, Holmes, Leake, Madison and Yazoo Counties.

Current Employment Positions

Professional, Political and Past Employment

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