The UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies

in partnership with

The California Legislative Black Caucus

invites you to the

2026 State of Black California Conference

Friday, April 10, 2026

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration opens at 8:00 am

Complimentary breakfast and lunch provided

Reception at 5:00 pm

UCLA Luskin Conference Center

425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Complimentary parking with registration

The conference brings together an audience of 200 advocates, policy experts, elected officials, academic scholars, and community-based leaders to discuss how we build a thriving Black California. This year’s conference marks the release of a new policy brief by the UCLA Bunche Center’s Black Policy Project in its State of Black California Report series. Additionally, all attendees will have the opportunity to join breakout sessions in five issue areas – housing, civic engagement, education, mental health, and youth (ages 18-24) empowerment – from 1:15 - 2:15 pm. Each breakout will feature CLBC members sharing their insights and experience as a starting point for robust conversations on legislative priorities.

Register today and be sure to select the breakout session you would like to join.

Registration closes at 12:00 pm, April 7th.

Your invitation to this private event is non-transferable.

Please do not post on social media.

We are pleased to announce the following confirmed speakers. Stay tuned for more!

The Honorable Karen Bass

Mayor of Los Angeles

Dr. Darnell Hunt

Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost

University of California, Los Angeles

Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.

California Secretary of State

Moderated By

Dr. Lorrie Frasure

Professor and Director of the Ralph J.Bunche Center for African American Studies

University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins

California Assemblymember

Aloe Blacc

Artist & Activist

Dr. Pedro Noguera

Dean

Rossier School of Education

University of Southern California

Moderated By

Dr. Safiya Noble

Professor, MacArthur Genius and Author

Algorithms of Oppression

University of California, Los Angeles

Tony Thurmond

California Superintendent of Public Instruction

Laura Richardson

California Senator

Kevin G. Harbour, Sr.

CEO/President

BizFed Institute

Moderated By

Dr. Jasmine Hill

Assistant Professor

University of California, Los Angeles

Isaac Bryan

California Assemblymember

CLBC Vice Chair

Sade Elhawary

California Assemblymember

CLBC State of Black California Liaison

Chuck D

Artist, Activist & Author of

In the Hour of Chaos:

Art & Activism with Public Enemy's Chuck D

Moderated By

Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson

Professor and Director of the Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy

University of California, Santa Barbara

Dr. Michael Stoll

Professor and Faculty Director of the

Black Policy Project, an initiative of the

Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies

University of California, Los Angeles

Mina Anochie

Research & Policy Fellow

Altadena Rising

Dr. Brandon Nicholson

Chief Executive Officer

Hidden Genius Project

Dr. Rhianna Rogers

Senior Vice President of Research and Programs

California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute

Moderated By

Dr. Whitney Pirtle

Associate Professor and Associate Director of the

Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies

University of California, Los Angeles

Don't hesitate to contact our staff at SOBC@bunche.ucla.edu with any questions or requests. We appreciate your collaboration and look forward to your attendance.