Washington: At CBC Week, California Leaders Center Economic Power and Investment in Black Institutions

September 23, 2026

California leaders convened during Congressional Black Caucus Week in Washington, D.C., to discuss economic empowerment and the preservation of Black institutions serving their communities. Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Lateefah Simon, alongside education and philanthropy leaders, emphasized that economic stability must be central to discussions about Black progress and that sustainable investment in Black-owned media, educational institutions, and cultural spaces is essential rather than merely providing services. The gathering highlighted concerns about California's shortage of Black educators, who comprise only 3.

Who is affected

Black communities in California
Black families struggling with childcare, eldercare, college costs, rent, and savings
Black educators in California public schools (approximately 10,400 teachers representing 3.5% of the teacher population)
Black-owned institutions including media outlets, bookstores, and museums
Black-led and Black-serving organizations
Students served by Black teachers and mentors
Congressional Black Caucus members

What action is being taken

The Aya Education Coalition is organizing around a 2030 goal to strengthen California's Black teacher pipeline
Sierra Health Foundation is investing in over 100 Black bookstores, Black newspapers, and smaller Black museums
The California Black Freedom Fund is providing sustained resources to Black-led and Black-serving organizations

Why it matters

This matters because economic stability is inseparable from Black progress and community well-being, affecting families' ability to meet basic needs and build generational wealth. Black institutions—including educators, media outlets, cultural spaces, and community organizations—play critical roles as mentors, storytellers, and preservers of history and culture, yet face threats of disappearing without sustained investment. The initiative addresses both immediate challenges like teacher recruitment and retention, and long-term sustainability by creating funding mechanisms designed to outlast temporary corporate commitments to racial equity, ensuring Black communities can build self-sustaining institutions rather than remaining dependent on external services.

What's next

The Aya Education Coalition will continue working toward its 2030 goal to strengthen California's Black teacher pipeline and advance policies addressing recruitment, preparation, retention and support
Leaders are identifying Black institutions at risk of disappearing to determine how resources, relationships and economic power can help sustain them

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