CA BLACK WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT & CEO
Message from the CEO
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the CA Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute,
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with a profound sense of gratitude and pride in what we have accomplished together. Despite the challenges that came our way, the resilience, passion, and dedication of our community have propelled us to new heights, enabling us to make significant strides towards our mission of empowering Black Women and girls across California.
Reflecting on Our Journey
This year was marked by remarkable achievements in our core areas of focus: education, economic empowerment, overall wellness, and leadership development. We launched several new programs that have already begun to make a tangible difference in the lives of many. Our programming has equipped Black Women and girls with the skills and confidence to pursue their unlimited possibilities
Our efforts in economic empowerment have been particularly impactful, with the launch of our programs that has helped several Black Women build their economic safety net, embrace their beauty and brilliance, find their voice and developed their leadership abilities. The stories of growth and success that have emerged from this work are a testament to what we can achieve when we lift each other up.
Challenges and Resilience
The journey was not without its challenges. The disparities and injustices that our community faces have only deepened our resolve to push forward. We have rallied against these challenges, advocating for policy changes, and creating safe spaces for our Black Women and girls in California to seek support and solidarity.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Our plans for the coming year are ambitious and include expanding our programs to reach more Women and girls, deepening our research and advocacy on issues affecting Black Women, and strengthening our partnerships both locally and nationally.
We are also committed to enhancing our organizational sustainability to ensure that the CA Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute can continue its vital work for years to come. This includes investing in our staff, expanding our fundraising efforts, and building our community of supporters.
A Word of Thanks
None of this would be possible without you. To our supporters, for your engagement and enthusiasm; to our partners, for your collaboration and support; and to our friends and donors, for your generosity and belief in our mission thank you. You are the heartbeat of this institute. And none of this would be possible without California State University Dominguez Hills as well as Dr. Parham and Deborah Wallace.
As we move forward, let us carry with us the lessons learned and the successes achieved. Together, we are building a brighter, more equitable future for Black Women and girls in California and beyond.
With deepest gratitude and optimism,
Kellie Todd Griffin President & CEO
CA Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute
CABWC EMPOWERMENT INSTITUTE OVERVIEW
MISSION, VISION, VALUES
Mission: Uplift the voices and issues of California Black Women and Girls
Vision: Improve the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout California
Values: REACH
COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP Board
Regina Wilson, President and CEO of California Black Media – BOARD CHAIR
LaNiece Jones, Executive Director of Black Women
Organized for Political Action - BOARD TREASURER
Angela Minniefield, SVP and COO, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science - BOARD
SECRETARY
California Assemblymember Lori Wilson, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus
Kellie Todd Griffin, President & Chief Executive Officer, CA Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute
Staff
Kellie Todd Griffin, President & CEO
Charles Williams, SVP/Chief Administrative Officer
Briana Nelson, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant
Raksha Kopparam, Senior Research Associate
Carina Crump, Program Manager
Christina Faulkner, Program Manager
Phyllis Bank, Communications and Development Manager
First Name Last Name Title Organization (for identification purposes only)
Sonya Aadam CEO California Black Women's Health Project
Dezie Woods-Jones BWOPA State President Black Women Organized for Political Action
Angela Reddock-Wright Founder & Managing Partner Reddock Law Group
Crystal Crawford Executive Director Western Center on Law & Poverty
Darla Claypool Sr. Director, Corporate Philanthropy City of Hope
Glenda Gill President and CEO Save a Girl Save a World
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker President WEDC (Ward Economic Development? )
Julianne Malveaux Dr. Julianne Malveaux Dean, College of Ethnic Studies, Cal State LA
Kristin McGuire Executive Director/ CEO Young Invincibles
Pamela Sparrow Analyst State of California
Sarah Harris President and CEO Black Business Association
Fredericka McGee Chief of Staff Los Angeles Supervisor Office of Hon. Holly J. Mitchell
Joni Ricks-Oddie Long Beach Councilmember City of Long Beach
Dr. Robyn Fisher President/CEO RTFisher Educational Enterprises, Inc
Treva Reid City Councilmember City of Oakland
Darlene Futrel President National Action Network Orange County
Addie Ellis Educational Consultant UnleashedYou
Tresla Gilbreath President and CEO Multi Facet Inc. Management Group
Angela de Joseph Founder/President Women of Color Roar
K. Patrice Williams Councilwoman City of Fairfield
Latressa Alford Wilson President BWOPA Solano Napa Chapter
Tanya Burke Director Mt. San Jacinto College
Cheryl Brown Commissioner CA Commission on Aging
Lenore Tate Licensed Clinical Psychologist Consultant
Amina Humphrey Professor El Camino Community College
ADVISORY BOARD
CALIFORNIA BLACK WOMEN’S
COLLECTIVE
EMPOWERMENT INSTITUTE
The California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI), a 501C3 non-profit organization, focuses on improving the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout the state. Through partnerships with corporate, social, not for profit, and advocacy entities, the Empowerment Institute develops programs and initiatives that have a meaningful impact on dismantling systemic social, economic, and physical barriers. The purpose of the Empowerment Institute is to:
• Serve as the anchor organization for the CA Black Women’s Think Tank with academic partner, California State University at Dominguez Hills
• Elevate our voice, power, and participation to secure adequate representation and reparations;
• Amplify our issues and priorities that are vital to elevate Black Women;
• Organize, leverage and utilize our extensive talent, influence, networks, and brilliance into areas of collective alignment;
• Eliminate the racist and sexist attacks on Black Women and Girls; and
• Elevate the agenda and collective power of Black Women locally and nationally to secure the social and economic safety-net.
CABWCEI has three core programs – The CA Black Women’s Think Tank, Conversations for Black Women, and Protect Black Women and Girls.
2023 – 2027 STRATEGIC PILLARS & GOALS
Focus Area Goals
Sustainability
Programs
• Fundraising and Financial Sustainability: Develop and implement a diversified fundraising strategy to secure financial stability annually, including grants, donations, and potential partnerships resulting in raising $5m in donations, sponsorships and/or grants by 2027
• Research and Analysis: Conduct at least two in-depth research projects annually on issues affecting Black women, including but not limited to healthcare disparities, economic inequality, and social justice; Annually analyze existing policies and their impact on Black women to identify gaps and areas for improvement as well as issue legislative proposals based on the analysis.
• Thought Leadership: Generate and disseminate thought-provoking content monthly, including policy briefs, reports, and articles, showcasing the unique perspectives and experiences of Black women utilizing owned and earned media as well as social media placements; Organize conferences, forums, and webinars to facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange on critical issues at least once a quarter.
• Policy Advocacy: Engage with policymakers, government agencies, and legislative bodies annually to advocate for policies that address the specific needs and challenges faced by Black women; Collaborate with other statewide and local advocacy groups to amplify collective voices and influence policy change resulting in at least one partnership.
• Image Building: Produce annual programs and initiatives that elevate and promote positive images of Black Women and Girl; Contribute to the empowerment of Black women by fostering a sense of agency, leadership, and community engagement; Support the creation of spaces and opportunities for Black women to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
• Capacity Building: Invest annually in the continuous development of organizational capacity, including staff training, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements
Operations & Finance
Brand
• Operational Efficiency: Foster a culture of financial responsibility by ensuring timely, monthly financial, grants, taxes and compliance reports
• Financial Compliance: Maintain financial compliance and good standing with grantors, sponsors, and government agencies; File annual taxes
• Charitable Ratings: Annually achieve and maintain top ratings on Charity Navigator, Candid and other non-profit sites that evaluate organizations
• Brand Identity: Establish and reinforce a distinctive and positive brand identity; provide consistent measurements and analyze brand performance metrics quarterly
PROGRAMMING
We produce programming including initiatives that focus on uplifting the voices and issues of Black Women throughout the state.
We serve as a resource as well as repository of information and expertise for non-profit and advocacy organizations that work on issues that impact Black Women, their family and their communities.
We also work as a consultant and strategic partner to help ensure organizations and their work can be scalable and sustainable.
THE WORK
CORE PROGRAMMING
CA Black Women’s Think Tank
• The California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute serves as the lead organization for the CA Black Women’s Think Tank, a nonpartisan public policy and training think tank based in California. The Think Tank provides ongoing programming and research on Work & Family; Health & Wellness; Employment & Earnings; Poverty & Opportunity; Education; Violence & Safety; and Black Women & Aging. California State University, Dominguez Hills serves as the academic partner.
Mission,Vision,andGuidingPrinciples
• Our mission is to conduct in-depth research and initiatives that leads to new, innovative ideas for building the economic and social safety net for Black Women and Girls throughout California. Our vision is to ensure that all Black females in California will have the opportunity to thrive in every quality-of-life index. The guiding principle of the CA Black Women’s Think Tank is to collectively build as we impact sustainable and scalable change through the intersection of race, gender, and geographic location as well as research, policy change and practice transformation.
• The three focus components of the Think Tank are: Black Talent Initiative (The Firm); Research and Innovation Institute; and Professional Development Institute
CORE PROGRAMMING
Conversations for Black Women
• Conversations for Black Women includes informative, resource rich events and activities that are designed to reset the conversation around issues important to Black Women. The initiative includes bringing together subject matter experts, policymakers, business leaders, activist, labor, and community leaders to have robust conversations on what needs to be done to help Black Women, their families and their communities on issues that impact their lives as well as to address disparity gaps, develop policy change and drive practice transformation.
Protecting Black Women and Girls
• The Protecting Black Women and Girls initiative focuses on ensuring the safety and improving health of Black Women and Girls throughout the state. This initiative is centered on harm reduction in every aspect of the lives of Black females including at home, in the public, within community and in the workplace as well as in intimate, personal and professional relationships.
2023 OVERVIEW
2023
• Research Institute launch
• Advisory Committee Announcement
• 2023-24 Legislative Budget Opinion Survey and White Paper
• Policy Summit
• Fellowship Program Launch
• Launch News Center
• Annual public opinion survey on quality-of-life indexes
• Launch Professional Development Institute
• Advisory Committee Retreat
2023
• Held first Board Meeting of the year
• Developed and signed Service Agreement with CSUDH
• Set up the Insurance, accountant services, and other requirements per the CSUDH agreement
• Hosted Conversation for Black Women –Building an Economic Action Plan in Los Angeles with Councilmember Heather Hutt
• Developed organizational structure for Institute/Think Tank
• Developed Web Page for the Empowerment Institute
• Hosted meeting with South African Women Parliamentary Delegation at CSUDH
• Received Women Who Dare Award
• Organized meeting with Los Angeles Black Women Organizations to meet with Los Angeles City Council members regarding its report on the Violence experienced by Black Women and Girls
• Launch podcast, The Power Table –Conversations for Black Women
• Kellie Todd Griffin served on panels for 100 Black Women and Girls and Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
• Hosted meeting with Jenesse and Domestic Violence Survivors
• Released first Black Women and Jobs report (release monthly)
• Developed the CA Black Women’s Workers Initiative
• Launched News Blog
• Conducted and released Black Women and Quality of Life Survey
• Conducted and released Black Women Representation in the Top 100 Companies Headquartered in California
• Hosted Sister Circle Conversation during CA Legislative Black Caucus’ African American Leaders of Tomorrow Conference
• Partnered with Sen. Steve Bradford on a Back-toSchool Giveaway
• Hosted Conversation for Black Women – Building An Economic Action Plan Tour with BMO in San Diego, Solano, Fresno and Sacramento
• Developed and launched CA Black Women’s Professional Development Program at CSUDH College of Continuing and Professional Studies
• Implemented employee benefits program
• Developed and produced Black Girl Joy Festival at CSUDH
• Developed and launched Membership Program for fundraising
• Conducted and Released Pay Me What I’m WorthBlack Women’s Wage Report
• Launched Having Our SayVoter Education Campaign
• Hosted first Strategy Summit with partner organizations
• Launched Having Our Say –Black Mother’s Narrative Project
• Produce Respect My Crown Documentary
• Received Los Angeles Black Women in Power Award from Brotherhood Crusade
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
• CA Black Women’s Health Project Women Who Dared Award
• Los Angeles Black Woman of Power Award
• LA Focus Womenof Power Recognition
2023 MEDIA COVERAGE
• KQED
• CBS Bay Area / Bay City News
• SF Gate
• Sac Bee
• Yahoo News
• Richmond Pulse
• 21Ninety/ Yahoo News!
• Cal Matters
• ABC10
• Orange County Register
• Los Angeles Daily News
• San Gabriel Valley News
• Press Democrat
• Press Telegram
• AOL
• California Local
• Black Enterprise
• CA Black Media
• Long Beach Post News
• San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
• Los Angeles Sentinel
• The Sacramento Observer
• Inland Valley News
• KTVU
• KCBS
• SF Chronicle
OUR JOURNEY IN PHOTOS
