Juneteenth is a time to honor the resilience of our ancestors, celebrate the progress born of struggle, and reflect on the long road towards justice. And yet, while we draw strength from how far we’ve come, we are clear-eyed about how much work remains. As Black communities in Altadena and Pasadena embark on the long road to recovery after the devastating Eaton Fire, ongoing immigration raids target communities of color throughout the state, and drastic cuts to critical services and programs that support our wellbeing continue, the conversation around reparations has only become more urgent.
In June 2023, the first-in-nation California Reparations Task Force released their groundbreaking report on the historical and ongoing harms endured by Black Californians due to the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination, as well as recommendations for legislation and reparative action the state should take. In response, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) introduced its first set of bills based on the Task Force’s recommendations in February 2024, and a few months later, partnered with the California Black Freedom Fund to launch the State of Black California town hall series.
From June to December 2024, the State of Black California series traveled to San Diego, Santa Barbara, Fresno, Sacramento, Inland Empire, and Oakland, convening legislators, civic leaders, grassroots organizers, and community members to discuss the future of Black life in California and the movement for reparations. Hundreds of Black Californians from across the state came together to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas for how to move our communities forward, and we’re thrilled to be able to now share those findings in the State of Black California 2024 final report.
This report captures the series’ overall insights, including demographic data compiled by USC Dornsife Equity Research Institute, key findings from live polling conducted at each stop, and highlights of the progress made on behalf of our communities and the journey that lies ahead.
“The State of Black California event series made it clear: The path to repair must be guided by the lived experiences of Black Californians. From the Central Valley to South LA, the event series provided an open platform for Black Californians to share their experiences, voice their concerns, and advocate for reparative justice policies. Reparations aren’t only to reconcile the past of Black Californians. They’re ultimately about building a stronger, more equitable future for all Californians.”
— Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (SD 28)
Themes Across Events
- Housing Segregation and Unjust Property Takings, Environment and Infrastructure, and Mental and Physical Harm and Neglect were ranked as top priorities by respondents of our live reparations poll.
- While Black communities throughout the state have made progress over the last 30 years, they continue to face higher rent burdens, lower homeownership rates, and greater unemployment numbers than other groups.
- At 13%, Solano County in the Bay Area has the highest percentage of Black people in the state.
- Over 90 percent of respondents at each of the six locations reported having a better understanding of the movement for reparations in California after attending the State of Black California.
- The immigrant share of Black Californians continues to steadily increase, from just 3.4% in 1990 to 7.8% in 2021.
- Black communities are ready to be moved from passive supporters to engaged reparations advocates, but want resources—conversation guides, reading materials and handouts, and trainings.
Read the State of Black California report for more
With the eyes of leaders, advocates, and Black communities across the country fixed on the state, California has the opportunity to lead with bold and transformative action to redress a multi-generational debt owed to its Black residents.
“Reparations is about making sure we get what we need to restore our communities to their traditional greatness and to tell the story of how this movement is going to help all Californians.”
— Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (AD 60)
We invite you to read this report, share it with your networks, and reach out to learn how we can work together to create a more just future where Black people are living with freedom, power, and possibility.
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