2025 in Review: Seven Questions for California Black Health Advocate Rhonda Smith

December 2, 2025

Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network (CBHN), reflects on her organization's progress in advancing health equity for Black Californians throughout 2025. The network achieved significant milestones including training over 60 advocates through their Health Equity Advocacy Training Program and growing their membership base to more than 800 members statewide within three years. Smith expresses frustration with federal policies that have reversed health equity progress while remaining inspired by the resilience of Black community leaders across California.

Who is affected

Black Californians (African Americans and Black immigrants)
Over 60 people trained through the Health Equity Advocacy Training Program (including physicians, medical school students, doulas/midwives, community leaders, community health workers, and health advocates)
800+ Black Health Network members across California
Vulnerable communities impacted by federal budget cuts and the "One Big Beautiful Act" (OBBBA)
Black community leaders across the state

What action is being taken

Conducting outreach, education, and advocacy through CBHN
Operating the Health Equity Advocacy Training (HEAT) Program with three completed cohorts
Holding Black Health Equity Advocacy Week (BHEAW) to mobilize community voices
Advocating for Black maternal health legislation
Working to increase mental health access
Strengthening the statewide member network

Why it matters

This work matters because it addresses systemic healthcare disparities affecting Black Californians by building a statewide network of trained advocates who can drive policy change at local and state levels. The initiative represents critical power-building that leads to sustainable systems change, ensuring Black Californians have access to high-quality, equitable healthcare regardless of their socioeconomic status, education, immigration status, or other factors. The work becomes especially significant given federal administration actions that have undermined health equity progress, making state-level advocacy and community organizing increasingly important for protecting vulnerable populations.

What's next

Smith's primary goal for 2026 is to work collaboratively with health equity partners to achieve a statewide policy win that protects health and healthcare while mitigating the impact of the "One Big Beautiful Act" (OBBBA) and budget cuts on California's most vulnerable communities.

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