Since Yvonne Braithwaite Burke became the first Black woman elected to serve in the California State Assembly in 1966, 20 other African women have represented their constituents in both houses of the California State Legislature with distinction. Many of them have gone on to make their marks in various political arenas at the state, local and national levels.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Rob DeSantis seem to be on a political and philosophical collision course.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA12), the highest ranking African American woman serving in the U.S. Congress, announced on Feb. 21, that she will enter the race to replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein -- the 89-year-old, California’s senior U.S. Senator who has announced that she would not seek another term.
On her first day in office, Dec. 12, 2022, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness. This gave her administration expanded powers to help people gain access to permanent housing.
This profile is part of a series of 10 California Black Media articles capturing the stories of elected Black Mayors working to make a difference in the lives of Californians in large cities and small towns across our state.
On Jan 9, with the sound of African drumming in the background, Shirley Weber was sworn-in as the first-elected Black Secretary of State (SOS) of California and the 32nd person to hold the position.
Last week, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) joined a diverse panel of women legislators at the “Women in California’s Legislature: 2023 Speaker Series on California’s Future” luncheon to discuss the essential roles they play in shaping governmental policies benefiting Californians.
Asm. Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) , Attorney General Rob Bonta, Asm. Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) , Asm. Reggie Jones Swayer ( D-Los Angeles)
Last week Malia M. Cohen was sworn-in as the first Black woman – and first African American -- to serve as California’s State Controller.
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