Leadership Development for Black Women and Girls Across California
From first ambitions to executive leadership — building the pipeline, together.
The California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI) invests in Black women and girls as California's next generation of civic leaders, policymakers, and changemakers. Leadership is one of CABWCEI's four core practice areas — and it spans generations. Our two programs form a full leadership pipeline: the Holly J. Mitchell Girls Empowerment Leadership Institute (HJM GELI) for Black girls, and the California State University Dominguez Hills Leadership Certificate Program for Black women ready to advance professionally.
Holly J. Mitchell Girls Empowerment Leadership Institute
The Holly J. Mitchell Girls Empowerment Leadership Institute (HJM GELI) is a California-based Black girls leadership development program created by the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI) to build civic confidence, leadership skills, and pathways to influence for Black girls across the state. Named in honor of Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell — a trailblazing public servant and champion of Black women and girls — HJM GELI reflects the conviction that transformative leadership begins long before adulthood.
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Through hands-on programming and mentorship, HJM GELI engages Black girls in California's civic life — introducing them to the systems, spaces, and skills they need to lead. Whether navigating local government, developing their voice in community conversations, or connecting with experienced mentors committed to their growth, participants leave with more than knowledge. They leave with confidence, clarity, and the tools to create change in their communities and beyond.
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Now in its inaugural year, HJM GELI represents a bold, strategic investment in the leadership pipeline for Black girls in California. This is Year 1. The foundation is being built. And the girls stepping into this program are stepping into history.
California State University Dominguez Hills Leadership Certificate Program
The California State University Dominguez Hills Leadership Certificate Program is a formal, cohort-based leadership development program offered by the California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI) in partnership with California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), designed specifically to equip Black women with the executive skills, professional credentials, and community networks needed to lead at every level.
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Since its launch, the program has successfully graduated three cohorts of Black women leaders — making it one of the few institution-backed, university-credentialed leadership programs in California built exclusively for Black women. Participants complete a structured curriculum that blends leadership theory, applied practice, and peer accountability, earning a certificate through CSUDH that carries real professional and academic weight.
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CABWCEI's Leadership Development portfolio now encompasses two distinct programs for two distinct generations: the CSUDH Leadership Certificate Program for Black women at the collegiate and professional level, and HJM GELI for Black girls building leadership foundations early. Together, they form a leadership pipeline that starts young and grows without a ceiling.
