Welcome the new California Racial Equity Commission and Commissioner John Kim!

In 2022, after years of collective advocacy by Catalyst California and co-sponsor partners on Senate Bill 17 (Pan, 2020), Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-16-22 establishing the California Racial Equity Commission among other racial equity initiatives. 

“In California, we recognize that our incredible diversity is the foundation for our state’s strength, growth and success – and that confronting inequality is not just a moral imperative, but an economic one,” Newsom said. “Our state has made great strides in redressing historic wrongs and stubborn disparities, but we know that much work remains to tackle the barriers that hold back too many Californians and undermine our collective prosperity. California won’t shy away from this challenge – with today’s action, our state is doubling down on the ongoing work to make the California Dream a reality for every one of us.” 

The commission’s work will begin soon and marks a significant milestone in Catalyst California’s efforts to create a statewide office of racial equity and a strong step for our state government to center and prioritize racial equity. Members will be responsible for developing a statewide racial equity framework and creating a foundation for how our state government defines, implements, and measures impact in advancing racial equity. The commission will host regular hearings and meetings with community members, conduct analyses and develop tools to advance racial equity and address structural racism, and provide technical assistance to government entities engaging in racial equity programming or implementing strategies for racial equity engagement. 

Catalyst California has been closely monitoring the development of the commission and diligently working to ensure that the commission operates with integrity and accountability for all Californians. These efforts included identifying and recruiting a talented and diverse pool of candidates with a proven track record of dismantling systemic racism to apply as commissioners. Catalyst California is thrilled to have so many qualified partners, and we have proudly endorsed these candidates and expressed our support with the state appointing bodies. 

Alongside those recommendations, our own President & CEO, John Kim, has been appointed to serve on the Racial Equity Commission by California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Catalyst California is proud to support John Kim and the entire California Racial Equity Commission as they begin their work to ensure accountability and transparency, effective budgeting for lasting racial equity measures, and support for outreach and mobilization among community partners and core residents.  

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