While the last council had historically hashed out differences behind closed doors, members of a growing progressive wing said in interviews that they plan to be outspoken in pursuit of the policies they ran on enacting.

...Equitable representation has been a key focus in the increasingly diverse county, which is now about 42 percent White, 20 percent Black, 20 percent Latino and 16 percent Asian, according to census data.

Despite the public celebration of diversity, several council members voiced discontent over the maneuvering that took place behind closed doors to justify leadership picks. They say the decisions consolidated power between two White men and missed an early opportunity to give more influence to historically underrepresented communities.

“I want the public to be more aware of this process and be able to voice opinions and concerns prior to internal deliberations,” said Laurie-Anne Sayles (D), a Black woman freshly elected to one of the council’s at-large seats.

In addition to the top two leadership spots, Glass and Friedson will also chair two committees widely regarded as among the council’s most important: Planning, Housing and Parks; and Transportation and Environment. Meanwhile, the two Black council members said they did not get any of their top choices for committee assignments...

 On historically diverse Montgomery Council, tensions over transparency - The Washington Post