SACRAMENTO — Several influential, Black-focused organizations from across California convened in May 19 to engage with elected officials and lobby for specific policies that would affect Black communities around the state.
The NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Far Western Region, Black Women Organized for Political Action, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, California Black Media and the Black Women Collective 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,” said Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who spoke to Black media outlets. “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?”
Weber talked 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.
California Black Media and 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 Legislative Black Caucus for elevating their concerns about Assembly Bill 1414, authored by Assemblyman Heath Flora, R-Ripon.
Rick L. Callender, president of the NAACP California-Hawaii 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 members of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
The NAACP’s top policy priorities discussed with the legislators included:
● Assembly Bill1454, authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, and focused on improving pupil literacy.
● Senate Bill 437, authored by state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, D-San Diego, which 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, which proposes creating standards and processes for administering reparations to descendants of enslaved persons in California.
● AB 797, authored by Assemblyman John Harabedian, D- Pasadena, and titled the Community Stabilization Act, which proposes requiring the Governor’s Office for Economic Development 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 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held a breakfast meeting a couple of blocks away from the State Capitol at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.
At the event, the sorority celebrated its 26th annual California Day at the Capitol.
Far Western Regional Director Nichole Starr-Jordan said she and over 150 sorority members 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.”
Sorority members 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 said. “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 state 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 sorority members 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 Assemblywoman Rhodesia Ransom, D-Stockton, and Weber Pierson on the Senate floor.
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.”
Antonio Ray Harvey is a reporter for California Black Media.
