Since its inception in 1967, the California Legislative Black Caucus (LBC) has represented and advocated for the interests of African Americans throughout California.

The California Legislative Black Caucus was formed in 1967 when black members of the California Legislature joined together to strengthen their efforts to address the legislative concerns of black and minority citizens. The members believed that a black caucus in the California Legislature, speaking with a single voice, would provide political influence and visibility far beyond their numbers.

Today, there are 9 members of the California Legislative Black Caucus representing many of the largest and most populated urban centers in the state, together with areas never represented by an African American. These members, now as in the past, have been called upon to work as advocates for California's varied constituent interests--developing an ever-expanding legislative agenda -- as well as addressing the concerns of their own particular districts.

The visions and goals of the LBC is to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens and these goals have been reaffirmed through the legislative and political successes of the Caucus. The CBC has been involved in legislative initiatives ranging from fair housing to health care reform, from labor rights to Native American rights, from fair employment to welfare reform, South African apartheid and international human rights, from minority business development to expanded educational opportunities.

In the forty years since its founding, Caucus members have been successful in rising to strategic positions on Assembly and Senate Committees to affect needed changes in state policies. Never afraid to tackle the most serious social issues, LBC members are regularly referred to as the leaders in the Legislature.

Throughout its history, the LBC and African American members of the legislature have been instrumental in crafting and supporting legislation designed to promote racial and gender equality as well as justice for the poor and other disenfranchised groups.

Among the more significant of these measures include:

• Established a Fair Employment Practices Commission in 1959
• Established the Fair Housing Act of 1963
• Discontinued segregation in the National Guard
• Eliminated references to race and religion on employment applications.
• The establishment of Drew University Medical School
• Minority Business Enterprise/Women’s Business Enterprise Statute, which sets aside a certain percentage of government contracts for businesses owned by women and people of color.
• Divestment of California financial interests in companies doing business in South Africa
• Establishment of January 15th as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday in California
• Creation of the Commission on the Status of African American Males
• Establishment of the Center for African American Educational Excellence and Achievement, California Museum of Afro-American History and Culture, Institute on the Preservation of Jazz as an Art Form, Youth Service Bureaus, and other mentor and entrepreneur programs for youth
• Passage of legislation addressing domestic violence and programs offering support for poor women with children
• Passage of laws prohibiting the practice of "red-lining" home loans
• Authorization of bond money for school construction

The LBC has also served of the conscience of the legislature in fighting against legislation and ballot measures that seek to dismantle programs that are beneficial to African Americans and racial minorities.

This session, the LBC is taking an aggressive posture in its work. The LBC has just released our State of Black California Report which has been used to establish the LBC’S legislative priorities for the 2007 legislative session. In addition to proposing specific legislation, this report provides additional proposals that do not require legislation but require active involvement from the Black community which the LBC will work to spearhead. The report also provides us a snap shot of the status of our community relative to whites and other ethnic and racial groups in California.

The LBC also seeks to increase African American participation and representation in all levels of government.