By Antonio Ray Harvey
The California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) held its annual Legislative Days at the State Capitol to engage in direct advocacy with state policymakers and elevate issues that specifically impact Black communities in California.
The two-day event, held March 9 and 10, was organized in collaboration with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., (NCBW) and the California Lawyers Association (CLA).
CABL President Tamara Michael said the gathering was more impactful than she had imagined.
“My heart is so full of how these days went,” said Michael, a Bay Area attorney and corporate counsel for Penguin Solutions Inc. “One of the things that we continue to do is find ways to collaborate and connect with our legislature. We know that when we all come together in a meaningful way, we’re able to bring about change. We want to build on that momentum.”
CABL represents more than 6,000 members, including African American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students throughout the state. The organization focuses on advocating for legal issues, increasing the number of Black judges, and promoting equality within the legal profession.
According to organizers, the Legislative Days event serves as a platform for attorneys, judges, law students, and community leaders to solidify their collective voice and influence the state’s legal and legislative landscape.
The members of CABL were able to discuss specific bills prioritized by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), such as Assembly Bill (AB) 673, authored by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley).
That legislation, which has the backing of CABL, establishes the Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program, a pilot program designed to support homeless youth who are not in foster care.
If passed, AB 673 would provide competitive five-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), including school districts and charter schools—to support 16 and 17-year-old “unaccompanied homeless youth.”
The term unaccompanied homeless youth refers to homeless children not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, as defined in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
After the conclusion of the two-day event, CABL and NCBW hosted a reception at CLA’s office near the State Capitol, where members announced its support and a brief overview of AB 2014, authored by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles), also a member of CLBC. The bill aims to prevent gender-based stereotypes from unfairly influencing criminal proceedings.
Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, D–Los Angeles, discusses her bill AB 2014, which aims to prevent gender-based stereotypes from influencing criminal trials, during the California Association of Black Lawyers reception March 9 in Sacramento. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
AB 2014 requires a court to balance the “probative value” (of evidence) against the danger of “undue prejudice” when a party seeks to admit evidence that might trigger gender-based stereotypes.
“When it comes to legislation that we’re doing around criminal justice reform, one of our core pillars in our office is looking at what we can to ensure that we are more thoughtful around restorative justice,” Elhawary said to CABL members. “I am so grateful that (CABL) is able to support (AB 2014) and I’m excited about our alignment.”
CABL was also a key supporter of AB 7, introduced by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles). AB 7 was legislation designed to allow California colleges and universities to give admissions preference to applicants who are descendants of enslaved people.
AB 7 passed the State Legislature in September 2025, but the bill was vetoed a month later by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who stated the bill was “unnecessary” because California’s public and private colleges and universities “already have the authority to determine whether to provide such admissions preferences.”
Bryan, the vice chair of CLBC, said AB 7 was the only one among 13 bills he authored during the last legislative session that Newsom did not sign.
During the reception, CABL presented Bryan with the Legislator of the Year Award.
“People tell me. ‘Man, you went 12 for 13. That’s pretty good.’ I said yeah, but I wanted that one. CABL wanted that one,” Bryan said. “We did the work. We deserve that one. CABL testified so strongly, this organization stood in the pocket so strongly with us that we did not have a single voice in opposition on the (Assembly) floor.”
Members of the California Association of Black Lawyers gather during the organization’s Legislative Day events March 8–9 in Sacramento. The annual event brings Black legal professionals from across California to the State Capitol to advocate on policy issues affecting Black communities. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
The concept of CABL emerged at the 1976 National Bar Association convention, where legal professionals recognized the need for a statewide organization representing Black attorneys in California. The organization was formally established in April 1977 during a meeting in Los Angeles.
Leaders of CABL and the CLBC say their partnership focuses on advancing legislative priorities, promoting restorative justice, and strengthening the pipeline of Black leaders in law and policy.
“When we (CABL and CLBC) stand shoulder to shoulder, we can get anything we need to the governor’s desk,” Bryan said. “Now we’ve got to get what we need signed from him and the next governor, which means our power is growing.”
CABL will hold its 49th Annual Conference from April 9–12 at the Oakland Marriott under the theme “Reclaiming Our Shine.”
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