2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Black Women’s Equity Champion LaNiece Jones

December 11, 2025

LaNiece Jones, who has led the Black Women Organized for Political Action/Training Institute for Leadership Development (BWOPA/TILE) since 1995, reflects on her organization's work empowering Black women leaders in California. In 2025, the organization underwent a significant leadership transition while expanding its statewide reach through advocacy training, voter education programs, and specialized masterclass series covering issues from economic empowerment to maternal health. Jones expresses frustration with systemic inequities where Black women contribute significantly to political movements yet receive inadequate recognition and resources in return.

Who is affected

Black women leaders and advocates across California
Black Californians experiencing displacement from housing, jobs, education, and political representation
Over 500 women trained in advocacy during 2025
Black voters across multiple counties
Black families throughout California
Mothers advocating for educational equity
Young leaders working on housing and climate justice
Participants in the DWJ Public Policy Fellowship Program

What action is being taken

BWOPA is expanding civic engagement efforts and training women in advocacy
The organization is increasing Black voter education across multiple counties
BWOPA is holding elected leaders accountable through its chapter network
The Black Women's Power-Up Advocacy Masterclass Series is running with focus areas including economic empowerment, maternal health, mental wellness, educational equity, and legislative strategy
The DWJ Public Policy Fellowship Program is growing and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary
BWOPA is activating new chapters and implementing a statewide strategy

Why it matters

The work addresses a critical gap where Black women consistently lead political and social movements but remain underrepresented in positions of power and under-resourced despite their contributions. Black Californians face displacement across multiple sectors—housing, employment, education, and political representation—threatening community stability and progress. By training advocates, educating voters, and preparing Black women for leadership roles, BWOPA creates pathways to transform grassroots activism into sustained policy influence and political power, ensuring that those most affected by inequitable policies have direct influence over changing them.

What's next

Securing a full slate of Black women candidates in key state and local elections in 2026
Building out a robust BWOPA political leadership institute
Developing a campaign war chest
Forging statewide coalitions to shift power from protest to policy
Evaluating all decisions through the lens of sustainability and scale
Focusing on internal infrastructure investment including systems, staff, and strategy

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint