SACRAMENTO – California ’s Legislative Black Caucus kicks-off the legislative year with the release of the State of Black California Report , which provides a snap shot of blacks in California . The report was the result of a one-year research project that included qualitative and quantitative data collection measuring the status of the state’s black population relative to whites and other ethnic and racial groups. The nine-member Caucus, largest delegation in the state’s history, commissioned the report in order to develop a public policy agenda for the Caucus that would improve the lives of Black Californians.

The quantitative data was compiled by using an Equality Index, an objective tool to compare the degree to which blacks enjoy equal conditions relative to those of whites and other ethnic groups. The Index provides a summary measure of overall wellbeing using a single index to represent performance on a number of economic, housing, health, education, criminal justice and civic engagement outcomes. Whites are used as the baseline group in calculating the Index, and they have a constant score of 1.00. The overall index results reveal an index score for blacks in California of .69. The index scores for blacks fare below that of whites in each index measured.   

“The report serves as a starting point,” states Assemblymember Mervyn Dymally (D- Los Angeles ), chair of the Caucus. “We need to have a clear understanding of the current status of blacks in California in order to build an action plan to address the needs of the community. The report includes legislative and non-legislative proposals that will help us fill in the disparity gap that clearly exists in every index outlined in the report.”

The report also outlined the demographic trends of blacks in California . In 2000, blacks constituted 6.6 percent of the population in California , down from 8.1 percent in 1990.  The population of blacks is the smallest of the four major racial and ethnic groups in California . With cost of living being the major factor in relocating, the results show a consistent migration from the larger metropolitan areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles to the smaller ones of Sacramento and the Inland Empire over the last decade. Southern California houses the largest black population with Los Angeles at 45 percent of the state’s black population and the Inland Empire with 10 percent.   

The community was also involved in the data collection process. Last year, the Caucus hosted community town hall meetings with hundreds of residents in the Inland Empire , San Diego and Sacramento . Caucus members had the opportunity to listen to the issues that affect the black population in the different regions. Residents described positive aspects as well as challenges faced by the black population in their region.

“This was important and honest feedback that complemented the quantitative data,” according to Majority Leader Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles ), Legislative Black Caucus vice chair. “We wanted to ensure that the community had the opportunity to participate in the process as well as be active participants in developing solutions. In addition to proposing specific legislation, this report provides ideas that require active involvement from the black community.”

According to the Majority Leader, a major gap that became evident in the process was the difficulty in capturing the wealth accumulated by many Black Californians. “We know that many Black Californians have accumulated wealth and have succeeded in real estate and entrepreneurship as well as in corporate America by rising to executive positions in various industries. Black Californians are a major contributor to the state's economy with major purchasing power. Black Californians serve in elected office at every level in many regions that have relatively small black populations. These positive strives are part of the complete picture of the black community that are difficult to measure.”

Along with exploring ways to document the success of Blacks throughout California , Caucus members are taking the necessary steps to move its agenda forward. Each member has authored specific legislative proposals that will help address the gaps outlined in the State of Black California Report . This spring, the Legislative Black Caucus will return to each region and conduct town hall meetings in order to report on the study findings and the legislative and non-legislative proposals proposed by the Caucus.

Steven Raphael, Goldman School of Public Policy University of California , Berkeley and Michael A. Stoll, School of Public Affairs University of California, Los Angeles prepared the report for the California Legislative Black Caucus.

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus include Assemblymember Mervyn Dymally, chair; Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass, vice chair; Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas; Senator Edward Vincent; Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter; Assemblymember Mike Davis; Assemblymember Curren Price; Assemblymember Laura Richardson; and Assemblymember Sandre Swanson.