A Seat at the Table
Black Orgs Converge on California State Capitol for Legislative Day
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Several influential, Black-focused organizations from across California convened in Sacramento to engage with elected officials and lobby for specific policies that would affect Black communities around the state.
POWER PLAYERS-South Bay Black Journal Publisher Kenneth Miller (second from left on back row) joined California Black Media newspaper publisher from across the state in Sacramento on May 19 in support of legislation that will impact the Black newspaper industry. (CBM PHOTO)
On May 19, the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) Far Western Region, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), National Coalition of 100 Black Women, California Black Media (CBM) and the Black Women Collective (BWC) either jointly or separately participated in legislative advocacy during events and meetings held in and around the State Capitol.
“We don’t always push the stories that are important to us. We are still faced with a number of challenges. That’s why it’s important for you, the media, to educate the public, to tell the stories that are important to you because if you don’t, who do you expect will?” said Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who spoke to Black media outlets represented there about the importance of expanding access to voting and pushing back against the SAVE Act, proposed federal legislation with no accompanying budget that would require states to mandate their residents to provide a passport or birth certificate to vote.
CBM and the Black media owners who participated in the legislative day event shared a number of their priorities with lawmakers at the Capitol, including stating their interest in being included in the communications and implementation plans of the state’s Cap-and-Trade investment program and the California Film and TV tax credit program. They also thanked the Black Caucus for elevating their concerns about Assembly Bill (AB) 1414, authored by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R- Ripon).
Rick L. Callender, President of the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference, shared that the “Day at the Capitol is a powerful opportunity” for the Black community leaders and the youth to engage directly in the legislative process and advocate for the policies that impact Black Californians.
As did the other organizations and individuals, the members of the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference met with state lawmakers, including legislators of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
The NAACP top policy priorities discussed with the legislators included:
● Assembly Bill (AB) 1454, authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), is focused on improving pupil literacy.
● Senate Bill (SB) 437, authored by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), proposes selecting California State University to conduct further research on implementing the recommendations of the California reparations task force.
● SB 518, also authored by Weber Pierson, proposes creating standards and processes for administering reparations to descendants of enslaved persons in California.
● AB 797, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D- Pasadena) and titled the Community Stabilization Act, proposes requiring the Governor’s Office for Economic Development (GO-Biz) to issue a tradable security which would raise money to be invested in communities.
“From Sacramento to San Diego, we showed up and made our voices heard,” Callender said. “We’re here to remind lawmakers that Black policy matters. The NAACP remains the oldest, the boldest, and the most revered civil rights organization in America — and we’re not slowing down.”
Before meeting with lawmakers, the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference and AKAs held a breakfast meeting a couple of blocks away from the State Capitol at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.
At the event, the AKA Far West Region celebrated its 26th annual California “Day at the Capitol.”
Far Western Regional Director Nichole Starr-Jordan said she and over 150 AKAs were focused on advancing legislative change through civic engagement, public policy education, and social justice advocacy under the theme, “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.”
The AKAs also used their platform to bring awareness to maternal health and reproductive justice, economic security, voting rights and civic engagement, and education equity.
“AKA Day at the Capitol is more than an annual tradition. It’s a powerful reminder that Black women are not only the backbone of our communities, but also bold, informed advocates for legislative change,” Starr-Jordan stated. “This gathering reflects our unwavering commitment to amplifying our voices, protecting our rights, and shaping policy for generations to come.”
One of the bills they support is SB 658, titled the “2025 Eaton or Palisades Fires: Notification of Owner’s Intent to Sell” Act, authored by Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena).
The bill would protect communities within the impacted Eaton and Palisades areas from predatory property land grabs and provide funding to rebuild neighborhoods affected by the Los Angeles County Wildfires.
A couple of AKAs shared that many Black residents who lost their homes in the fire in January were contacted and pressured into selling their property.
“At their most distressed times that they have ever experienced in their lives, (developers) are offering lowball offers,” said AKA member Elise Preston Mallory, from Southern California. “We don’t know how much our community is worth, but we do know there’s value in that land. We need them to step back and let people figure it out.”
In addition to meeting with lawmakers, leaders of the Black organizations that participated in the legislative action day were recognized on the Assembly floor by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton) and Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) on the Senate floor.
Among those leaders were Starr-Jordan, event co-organizers LaNiece Jones (Oakland) and Patrice Marshall McKenzie (Pasadena), NAACP board member LaJuana Bevins from Stockton, BWOPA President Dezie Wood-Jones, and 100 Black Women Oakland-Bay Area President Shari Woodridge, CBM Executive Director Regina Wilson, and founder of the BWC Kellie Todd Griffin were recognized for their contributions.
They were accompanied to the Senate and Assembly chambers by former Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, who represented a Southern California district covering areas in San Bernardino County.
“We are proud to recognize another Divine 9 organization,” Ransom said on the Assembly floor, referring to the historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. “These individuals and the many members with them today represent what Black collective action looks like.”
LaNiece Jones, State President Elect, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) recognized the significance of the advocacy day being held On Malcolm X’s birthday.
“BWOPA proudly stood united with over 500 Black women and leaders from AKA Far Western Region, NAACP-CA, the Coalition of 100 Black Women, CA Black Women’s Collective, and California Black Media for our first-ever collaborative Legislative Day of Action,” said Jones. “Being honored on the Assembly and Senate floors symbolized the power of our unity — and what’s possible when Black women lead together.”
Todd Griffin said, “When Black women walk into the Capitol, we carry generations of resilience, resistance, and responsibility.”
“Last week, we rose not only to advocate — but to activate,” added Todd Griffin. “Our presence is a declaration that the voices and needs of Black women and girls in California can no longer be sidelined. Every meeting with a legislator is a step toward rewriting a future where equity isn’t aspirational — it’s expected.”
