community leaders united

for a day of action demanding repair

Over 100 community advocates convened at the State Capitol in Sacramento for a Day of Action, advocating for legislation to address historical injustices and protect Black Californians’ future.

This event showcased CBPN’s dedication to systemic change and the strength of community organizing. Participants also urged Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate the Eaton Fire emergency response, citing disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities and concerns about negligence and unequal resource allocation.

The Day of Action was a joint effort with the Black Equity Collective, Black Equity Initiative—Inland Empire, Bold Black LA, and LiveFree California, demonstrating a unified pursuit of justice and equity.

The California Black Power Network is a ...

united ecosystem of Black grassroots organizations working together to change the lived conditions of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism.

OUR ORIGIN STORY

The CA Black Power Network is built on the work of the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub and the African American Civic Engagement Project, both projects of California Calls, a multiracial statewide alliance of 31 grassroots, community-based organizations spanning urban, rural and suburban counties across the state. Recognizing the need to have strong Black power-building in the State, California Calls incubated the Black Power Network in its infancy. Through the work of AACEP and the Black Hub, we grew the network from 12 to 35+ organizations, served as the State’s Black census outreach contractor, and engaged over 1.3 million residents through phoning door knocking, and digital organizing (My Black Counts) to motivate them to vote and complete the census.

We also engaged nearly 500 community leaders and residents in 51 community conversations to identify key Black communities of interest during the state’s redistricting process and acted as a leading voice for Black representation and political power throughout the California Citizens Redistricting Commission process through 2020 and 2021. Our current coalition covers 13 counties across 6 regions of the State (including the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, Central Valley, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and San Diego).

Now we are embarking on a long-term endeavor to ensure Black Californians have the resources, policies, supports, and living conditions needed to thrive! We are the California Black Power Network.

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Engaged 1.3 million residents to vote in My Black Counts

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Coalition covers 13 counties across 6 regions of the state.

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Grew the network from 12 to 35+ organizations,

Ensure Black Californians have the resources, policies, supports, and living conditions needed to thrive!

meet the squad

JAMES WOODSON

Chief Executive Officer

LaTisha Akines

Organizing Director

Tirrea Billings

Public Relations Manager

Luke Blackburn

Special Projects Coordinator

Zaakiyah Brisker

Social Media Manager

KEVIN COSNEY

Chief Program Officer

Mary Lee

Policy Director

Jahnna Morehouse

Policy Associate

Cedric Nelms

Regional Organizer

ADIJE NELSON

ACCOUNTANT

KRISTIN NIMMERS

POLICY & CAMPAIGNS MANAGER

LANAE NORWOOD

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

TANYA PAYNE

OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

AMBER TOLBERT

Chief Operating Officer

Akeishein Wells

Communications Manager

our coalition

CBPN in the news

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Join our movement to help all Black Californians thrive! Join us to build Black futures in a California that works for everyone!
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