Meet the Caucus
Calvin Lee, Jr. - Acting Leader
Acting Black & Asian Democratic Caucus Leader Calvin Lee, Jr. is currently in his second stint in the Monroe County Legislature, having previously served from 2001-2011 and rising to the position of Assistant Minority Leader before leaving office due to term limits. He was then appointed in 2020 and re-elected in a special election to finish the term later that year, becoming the second Legislator to return after previously being term-limited. He currently sits on the Planning and Economic Development Committee and is the Ranking Member on the Human Services Committee.
In 1998, Legislator Lee attended the Economic Development Caucus in Miami, Florida. There he discussed the development opportunities in Miami and Rochester, NY. This was the impetus for the major redevelopment project of Brooks Landing which is located on the west bank of the Genesee River. As this particular area of the city of Rochester became developed, crime rates decreased drastically, ushering in rapid economic improvements. He also facilitated the creation of a computer lab in the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association to help seniors access technology. Furthermore, Legislator Lee revitalized the Montgomery Center and helped facilitate the construction of sidewalks at the Wilson Academy to address safety issues in that area.
Legislator Lee has served as Director of the Montgomery Neighborhood Center, Director of the Youth Entrepreneur and Grow Green Gardening Program, Chair of the City Ethics Committee, and as the Monroe County Coordinator of Special Projects.
Sabrina LaMar - Assistant Leader
Assistant Black & Asian Democratic Caucus Leader Sabrina LaMar represents the 27th District in the Monroe County Legislature, centered in Rochester's historic 19th Ward neighborhood. She currently serves on the Legislature's Public Safety and Human Services Committees.
Legislator LaMar is an advocate for “development without displacement” and she envisions that residents become the beneficiaries of their community’s economic growth.
Born and raised in Rochester, Ms. LaMar’s commitment to the City of Rochester is reflective of her personal and professional activities: She is the Assistant Director for an all-volunteer based organization, Rise UP Rochester, whose mission is to establish and maintain a non-violent culture while providing support to families of homicide victims. A recognized leader in the community of advocates, she works alongside community partners in developing and implementing programs that affect change.
Ms. LaMar currently works as Project Coordinator for the Community Engagement to Reduce Victimization (CERV) project at RIT's Center for Public Safety Initiatives in the Criminal Justice Department. She also chairs the education committee of the ROC Against Gun Violence Coalition.
As a graduate of Rochester Business Institute, and as an accountant for the past 20 years, she also brings a capacity for sound budget accountability as the representative of the 27th District. In addition to accounting she also brings professionalism and extensive project management skills to the 27th District Legislative seat as continuing CEO of PUSH Publishing.
LaMar is also a member of the 19th Ward Association, Baber AME Church, the Black Excellence/Juneteenth Planning Committee, and Roc The Peace.
Ms. LaMar has two children, Tashmere and Jaiona; and one grandson, Nasim. She lives in the 19th Ward of the City of Rochester.
Ernest Flagler-Mitchell - Member
Monroe County Legislator Ernest S. Flagler-Mitchell represents the 29th District, which includes the City of Rochester’s Northeast and Northwest neighborhoods. Ernest was elected to the County Legislature in the fall of 2014 and was sworn in on January 1, 2015. He currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Recreation and Education Committee and also sits on the Public Safety Committee. He is a retiree of the City of Rochester Fire Department and worked in the Community Reduction Unit, which is housed in the Public Safety Building.
In 2005, Ernest was a graduate of the African American Development Program. He has been honored and recognized by numerous community organizations over the years for his community involvement. Ernest is an ordained Elder at the Word of The Cross Church. He attended Monroe Community College and received an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.
He and his wife Keia have eight children:
Bobbi, Alyia, Fphasieth, Odessia, Richard, Ernest Jr, Ja’Mese, and Jairus Mitchell. He is also a grandfather of five: Derrick Macon, Jr., Leyah Marie Hill, King, Lelo, Journey, and Massiah. As a parent, he understands that investing in the youth must be a top priority, ensuring that they have good jobs, education, and the skill set that they need to tackle the world and make the community a better place. Ernest is looking forward to serving the good people of the 29th Legislative District.
Frank Keophetlasy - Member
Monroe County Legislator Frank Keophetlasy represents the 28th District, which includes the Lyell-Otis, Jay-Orchard, Dutchtown, Edgerton and Maplewood neighborhoods of northwest Rochester. He currently sits on the Public Safety Committee and is the ranking minority member of the Transportation Committee.
Frank was born and raised in Rochester’s 28th Legislative District (LD). Having lived in the district for his entire life, Frank understands and shares many of the concerns for the issues that have been impacting the district as his constituents. Frank is a true product of the 28th LD having attended elementary school in the district at School #30 and spending his childhood bouncing around between Edgerton and Campbell recreation centers and the Lyell Branch Library.
Frank is the son of Laotian refugees, Somboune and Phoukhao Keophetlasy. His parents came to the United States in 1980 fleeing war-torn Laos where they ended up settling in Rochester, NY, raising Frank and his two older brothers.
Frank is a Wilson Magnet High School class of 2011 graduate, 2014 Monroe Community College graduate where he received an Associate of Science in Political Science and 2016 SUNY Brockport graduate, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science.
Professionally, Frank is a Constituent Services Representative for the City of Rochester. He was also the Clerk of the Assembly Transportation Committee and an aide to the late Assemblyman David Gantt. Furthermore, he is the chairperson of the 28th Legislative District’s Democratic Committee. Frank has been extremely active in encouraging and influencing the community to get involved and engaged.