Author: Seth Abrahamson

We are excited to share that PRC’s Black Leadership Council (BLC) is gearing up for its third annual day of action in Sacramento on Juneteenth. This is a prime opportunity for the BLC and community members to nurture, build, and foster relationships and collaborations with key policy makers and state leaders, for the long-term success of our advocacy efforts.

Community leaders are empowered to be effective advocates for change. By sharing their personal stories, experiences, and expertise, they engage in a day of impactful dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and collective action. This not only amplifies the voices of those directly affected by the issues we care about but also fosters a sense of solidarity and shared purpose among participants. 

The BLC is an initiative of PRC’s, formed in 2019, in response to the release of the 2018 Black/African American Health report developed by the SF Health Department. The report motivated a group of Black San Francisco leaders to convene strategies to address the alarming health disparities disproportionately affecting the Black community, highlighting stark discrepancies in access to quality healthcare, prevalence of chronic diseases, and life expectancy. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, systemic reforms, and equitable policies to address the root causes of these disparities and ensure health equity for all populations.  

In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, the BLC opted for a more comprehensive approach to action, centering on statewide reform. They formulated a Black prosperity agenda that includes four key policy areas: health, wealth, housing, and education.

To date, the BLC has hosted several community trainings and educational forums and is co-sponsoring two bills this year: 

AB 2250 (Weber) – this bill seeks to improve access to social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings and community navigation services by requiring health plans and insurers to pay for screening for SDOH, and to provide access to community health workers, promotores, representatives, peer support specialist, lay health workers, and social workers.   

AB 2465 (Gibson) – this bill seeks to level the playing field by requiring specific state agencies to implement equity in a specific set of grant programs where people of color and diverse-led organizations are underrepresented or non-existent.  Both bills are in Appropriation committees, so we have been ramping up and mobilizing our advocacy efforts to ensure they receive the necessary funding and support to move forward. The BLC is also supporting over 30 additional bills.

This year’s Advocacy Day on June 19th promises to be an exhilarating day of action and education for participants and all involved, culminating in a legislative awards reception honoring some of the state’s most esteemed leaders and celebrating Juneteenth.  

Advocacy is a continuous journey, extending far beyond June 19th. We invite you to support the BLC’s ongoing efforts by sponsoring Advocacy Day or donating to help sustain our work. Your contribution plays a vital role in advancing our mission and creating meaningful change in our communities.