Mission
Since the formation of the California Legislative Black Caucus in 1967, the core mission has been to close and to ultimately eliminate, disparities in a wide variety of areas that stagnate the growth of the African-American community. The Caucus represents and advocates for the interests of African Americans throughout California. It seeks to increase African American participation and representation in all levels of government.
History
The origins of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) can be traced back to the 1918 election of Frederick M. Roberts to the California State Assembly. Mr. Roberts was the first African-American to serve in the California State Legislature. In those early years, Assemblyman Roberts and other pioneering African American members of the Legislature focused their efforts on eliminating laws and policies that restricted African-Americans from exercising their civil, social and political rights.
In 1967, the CLBC was officially established under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Mervyn Dymally with Assembly Members Willie Brown, Yvonne Burke, Bill Greene, John Miller and Leon Ralph. The founding members believed that a Caucus representing the concerns of the African-American community could provide a collective political force for creating a more just and equitable society. Throughout its history, the CLBC and its members have been instrumental in crafting and supporting legislation to advance the quality of life for all Californians, including the areas of health care, employment, economic development, education and the criminal justice system.
Over the past four decades, the CLBC has achieved many significant accomplishments that have empowered families, promoted equality and improved the lives of millions of Californians. This includes legislation to expand government contracting with minority and women-owned businesses; the divestment of the state’s financial assets in companies doing business in then-apartheid South Africa; the establishment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a state holiday; the creation of the Commission on the Status of African-American Males; and the formation and operation of the Center for African American Education Excellence and Achievement at the California State University Dominguez Hills.
Other legislative achievements over the years include the establishment of the California Museum of Afro-American History and Culture; the passage of legislation prohibiting the practice of “redlining” in the home loan industry; and higher standards and increased accountability of our public schools in an effort to close the achievement and opportunity gaps. Legislative accomplishments such as these have helped to lay a foundation for the opportunities that are afforded African-Americans and other minorities in California today.
Over the past 45 years, Caucus Members authored numerous pieces of legislation to promote the interests of the African American community including legislation to end prison gerrymandering, protect Allensworth State Park, and establish criminal penalties for human trafficking. This past year, we have been actively engaged in crafting a responsible budget that reflects the reality of the current economic crisis, while keeping our commitment to protect the state’s safety net for its most vulnerable citizens.
The CLBC is steadfast in its mission to bring about positive changes to the African-American community in California. In order to ensure success, the CLBC is fighting to maintain hard-won accomplishments so that African-Americans and all Californians are provided with an opportunity to fulfill their potential.
