James B. Black

Jim Black
Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office January 1, 1999 – January 1, 2007 Serving with Richard Morgan (2003–2005)
Preceded by	Harold Brubaker
Succeeded by	Joe Hackney
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office January 1, 1991 – February 14, 2007
Preceded by	Lawrence Edward Diggs
Succeeded by	Tricia Cotham
Constituency	36th District (1991-2003) 100th District (2003-2007)
In office January 1, 1981 – January 1, 1985
Preceded by	Marilyn R. Bissell
Succeeded by	Raymond Allan Warren
Constituency	36th District
Personal details
Born	James Boyce Black (1935-03-25) March 25, 1935 (age 89) Matthews, North Carolina
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Matthews, North Carolina
Alma mater	Southern College of Optometry, O.D.
Occupation	Optometrist

James Boyce Black (born March 25, 1935) is a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and a former member of the North Carolina General Assembly, who represented the state's 100th House district, including constituents in Mecklenburg County. An optometrist from Matthews, North Carolina, Black was elected to 11 (non-consecutive) terms in the House of Representatives, and served as Speaker of the House from January 1999 through the end of 2006, when scandal forced him to give up the leadership post. For the 2003-2004 legislative session Black was elected to serve as "Co-Speaker" with Republican Richard T. Morgan serving as the other Co-Speaker.^[1]

Black earned an O.D. from the Southern College of Optometry.^[2] He served in the United States Navy and in the United States Naval Reserve.^[3]