California Racial Equity Coalition

Across California, governing bodies continue to uphold racist policies and practices that benefit the most privileged communities over those harmed by systemic injustices. The racial inequities in our state are not accidental but rather the result of discriminatory government decisions that determined who could live where, who could own property, and who had access to vital services. For example, in 1933, the federal government engaged in “redlining,” where they labeled certain communities as undesirable, including those experiencing racial inequity, and limited residents of these communities’ access to financial services. The repercussions of these decisions continue to reverberate to this day, with significant health, housing, and educational disparities impacting low-income BIPOC communities.  

If the government played a role in creating and maintaining the racial inequities in the state of California, then it could play a central role in eliminating them. The California Racial Equity Coalition, co-anchored by Catalyst California along with NextGen Policy and Greenlining Institute, represents advocates and organizations dedicated to institutionalizing racial equity in state government. The coalition sought to create an Office of Racial Equity through Senate Bill 17, eventually becoming the Racial Equity Commission through Executive Order N-16-22. The Racial Equity Commission is charged with developing the state’s racial equity framework, including tools, methodologies, and best practices to ensure our state centers and operationalizes racial equity in all its functions. As a coalition, we are committed to institutionalizing racial equity in all state government processes, practices, and policies. We will be deeply engaging with the commission to support its work and inform how the racial equity framework is developed. 

For more information about the California Racial Equity Coalition, please contact Alejandra Ponce de León at aponcedeleon@catalystcalifornia.org.