Black Power Network

WHO WE ARE

The California Black Power Network is a united ecosystem of Black grassroots organizations working together to change the lived conditions of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism.

Our theory of change

By protecting and building Black political power through policy development, civic participation, organizing, direct action, and uplifting Black culture, and narrative, we will improve the living conditions of Black Californians.

We welcome opportunities to work together to create systemic and social change, in solidarity with Indigenous and POC allies.

- cbpn

Our origin story

The CA Black Power Network is built on the work of the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub and the African American Civic Engagement Project, both projects of California Calls, a multiracial statewide alliance of 31 grassroots, community-based organizations spanning urban, rural and suburban counties across the state. Recognizing the need to have strong Black power-building in the State, California Calls incubated the Black Power Network in its infancy. Through the work of AACEP and the Black Hub, we grew the network from 12 to 35+ organizations, served as the State’s Black census outreach contractor, and engaged over 1.3 million residents through phoning door knocking, and digital organizing (My Black Counts) to motivate them to vote and complete the census.

We also engaged nearly 500 community leaders and residents in 51 community conversations to identify key Black communities of interest during the state’s redistricting process and acted as a leading voice for Black representation and political power throughout the California Citizens Redistricting Commission process through 2020 and 2021. Our current coalition covers 13 counties across 6 regions of the State (including the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, Central Valley, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and San Diego).

Now we are embarking on a long-term endeavor to ensure Black Californians have the resources, policies, supports, and living conditions needed to thrive! We are the California Black Power Network.