Front row: L to R: Tasha Henneman, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Rashida Hanif, Brett Andrews, Dr LaWanda Wesley;
Back row L to R: Meron Agonafer, Kapri Walker, Darris Young, 

On June 19, the Black Leadership Council (BLC) returned to Sacramento for its fourth annual Juneteenth Advocacy Day—a powerful gathering of Black leaders, advocates, and allies who brought a unified voice to California’s Capitol. With Juneteenth as both backdrop and call to action, the day highlighted how far we’ve come and how much work remains to build a California where Black communities are fully seen, heard, and resourced to lead and flourish. 

This year’s theme was all about intention and impact. Through legislative visits, community storytelling, and targeted policy asks, BLC members urged lawmakers to champion bold reforms across education, housing, health, and the justice system. Their message was clear: California must invest in equity, not just with words—but with budgets, legislation, and measurable outcomes. 

Several legislative offices, including Assemblymembers Mia Bonta and Corey Jackson, and staff from Senator Angelique Ashby, underscored conversations about the urgency of building a future rooted in racial justice and economic opportunity, and the impacts of the current Federal administration. 

A glimpse into a few of our meetings unveiled the following important legislation that lawmakers are advancing this session, insights into their priorities, and specific bills where they are seeking support from advocates like the BLC to help move equity-focused policies forward. 

Assemblymember Mia Bonta also shared several key pieces of legislation she’s championing that align closely with the BLC’s mission: 

• AB 801 would help improve access to behavioral health services for underserved populations—an urgent need within Black communities deeply impacted by systemic neglect and stigma. 

• AB 1230 would bolster equity in school funding, giving students of color the resources they need to succeed. 

Senator Angelique Ashby staff shared the Member’s passion for bills: 

• SB 414, which helps improve access to early childhood education—critical for closing opportunity gaps before they widen. Just as important,  

• SB 761, which addresses deep inequities in women’s prisons, focusing on meaningful criminal justice reform for incarcerated women, many of whom are Black and Brown. 

Assemblymember Corey Jackson reminded participants of the importance of nurturing the next generation, not just through words but through concrete investment in youth programs, education pipelines, and safety-net services. BLC members raised the issue of food insecurity, and Assemblymember Jackson affirmed that he and his colleagues are actively working to preserve critical funding for food banks at the state level, recognizing how essential these resources are for communities facing hunger every day.  

The group also discussed Proposition 1, voicing strong support for ensuring the measure is implemented humanely and with accountability mechanisms. Prop 1 has the potential to change the landscape for behavioral health services and housing—but only if it’s done right. 

The day wasn’t just policy-focused—it was people-focused. BLC recognized several incredible community leaders and public servants who are championing equity behind the scenes: Marc Philpart, CEO of the California Black Freedom Fund; Melissa Jones, Executive Director of Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII); Kapri Walker, Government Affairs Manager at Californians for Justice and Safety; Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan (AD-56); and Senator Akilah Weber (SD-39). The day was also marked by a powerful keynote from Pastor Michael McBride of The Way Church in Berkeley and Live Free USA, who brought down the house with a passionate call to action rooted in faith, justice, and collective power. We were also honored to open the event in rhythm and movement, thanks to the incredible energy of dancer Afia Thompson, Director of Bahiya Movement, and drummer Kamau Mensah, whose performances grounded us in pride in our roots and ancestral strength.

The meaningful speeches, moments of affirmation, storytelling, dancing, drumming, and laughter were reminders that advocacy can be a celebration of our collective brilliance and cultural responsiveness as much as it is a battle for justice. 

This year’s Advocacy Day was about honoring the past while shaping the future. With every legislative visit, policy push, and relationship built, it was abundantly clear: the movement for Black liberation in California is alive, organized, and unstoppable. 

Want to see the energy for yourself? Watch the video recap and stay connected.