Empowering Black Women.
Elevating Communities.
Changing the Future.
"There are over a million Black Women and Girls in CA ... representing one of the largest populations in the nation. Our power is in our collective effort. Our focus is to uplift our voices and the issues that impact our lives and our community."
- Kellie Todd Griffin, President & CEO
Our Intentional Journey Forward
Resilient. Elevate. Advocate. Collective. Healing.
Who We Are
The California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute is a statewide nonprofit advancing economic mobility, leadership, and civic engagement for Black women and girls in California — through research, advocacy, and action. Grounded in data, policy, and community practice, we build lasting pathways to opportunity across education, workforce development, and public power. Because Black women and girls deserve not only to survive — but to thrive.
Our Work
Building Pathways to Financial Power for Black Women
California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute advances Black women's economic mobility in California through workforce development, career pathways, and lived experience research. Our SheWorks program connects Black women in Los Angeles County to sustainable employment, industry partnerships, and career advancement opportunities. Through Having Her Say, we lift up the voices of Black mothers to shape policies that support family economic stability. We partner with employers, health plans, labor unions, and workforce agencies to ensure Black women aren't just in the room — they're moving up.
Building a Full Pipeline of Black Women Leaders — From Girls to Professionals
CABWCEI's leadership development work invests in Black girls and women across California — building the civic leaders, policymakers, and changemakers of tomorrow. The Holly J. Mitchell Girls Empowerment Leadership Institute equips Black girls with the confidence, civic knowledge, and hands-on mentorship to step boldly into spaces of power and influence. For Black women at the collegiate and professional level, the CSUDH Leadership Certificate Program — developed in partnership with California State University Dominguez Hills — provides structured leadership training, with three cohorts already completed. Together, these programs form a connected pipeline that develops Black women leaders at every stage of their journey.
Amplifying Black Women's Voices Where It Matters Most
California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute's power building work centers Black women's civic engagement, policy advocacy, and community organizing as essential forces for systemic change in California. We equip Black women and girls with the tools, networks, and platforms to influence decisions that shape their lives — from local policy to statewide legislation. By building collective power, we move from presence to influence and from advocacy to lasting impact.
What's Happening
Discover History. Build Your Future. Join Us This Summer.
Introducing the Holly J. Mitchell Girls Empowerment Leadership Institute
The Holly J. Mitchell Girls Empowerment Leadership Institute is CABWCEI's newly launched initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders — centering the experiences, voices, and potential of Black girls across California. Named in honor of Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, the Institute advances girls empowerment and leadership through programming that builds confidence, civic engagement, and pathways to influence from an early age. This initiative reflects CABWCEI's commitment to the principle that investing in girls today is how California builds more equitable leadership tomorrow.
The Museum Black Women and Girls Pop Up
Step into a powerful celebration of the beauty, brilliance, leadership, and lasting impact of Black women and girls.
Curated by the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute, The Field of Beauty and Brilliance honors the trailblazers, innovators, change-makers, and community leaders whose contributions have shaped California and influenced generations. Through stories of courage, achievement, and resilience, visitors will discover an enduring legacy that continues to inspire the leaders of today and tomorrow.
More than an exhibit, this experience invites us to recognize, celebrate, and preserve the stories of Black women and girls whose voices, vision, and impact deserve to be seen, remembered, and honored.
Now Open at the A C Bilbrew Library Black Resource Center
Our programs are grounded in joy, leadership, economic mobility, and civic engagement. Join the CABWCEI community and be part of a statewide movement advancing Black women and girls in California.
Key Statistics & Impact
Since 2022, the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute has achieved significant milestones. As a statewide organization with a local impact, we have established a footprint throughout California.
Statewide Engagement
24975
Black women and girls convened and engaged across California
675
109950
7
2475
1435
Leadership Development
& Training
Philanthropic Impact
Celebrating Black Brilliance
Community Support & Resources
Empowering Black Women
Middle and high school girls trained in financial planning and leadership
Dollars granted to organizations across California addressing issues affecting Black women and girls
Events produced to uplift the beauty and power of Black
women and girls
Backpacks distributed to students and families
Black women trained in leadership, economic mobility, and advocacy
Special Moments
Research
Empowering Initiatives
Explore our impactful projects dedicated to the empowerment of Black women. Each initiative is designed to create positive change and provide support to Black women in various aspects of their lives.
CA Black Women's Quality of Life Survey
California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, in collaboration with its research firm Evitarus, released the first-ever California Black Women’s Quality of Life Survey. This groundbreaking study collected insights from 1,258 Black women voters across California to understand their economic state, most pressing concerns, their attitudes toward policymakers, and their experiences and issues in California.
Pay Me What I am Worth
The CA Black Women's Wages Report looks at wages for all Women in California. The report compares wages of Women and the overall state wage mean as well as break down the demographics of data of women in California by race and ethnicity, marital status, parental status, work status (full time vs part time) and educational attainment from 2017 to 2021.
Disrupting Disparities: Ending the Black Women Wage Gap in California
(in partnership with the CA Center of Budget and Policy) – Quantitative data on Black Women and Black Single Mom’s wages related to White males highlighting the wage gap and what that equates to regarding basic living necessities.
