The 2026 State of Black California (SOBC) Conference, hosted by the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies in partnership with the California Legislative Black Caucus, convened leaders across research, policy, and community to have a necessary conversation around the structural forces shaping Black life in California. Grounded in the newly released, economics-focused State of Black California research brief, the conference elevated data-driven insights to outline issues and chart solutions for affordability, education, and the protection of democracy. Through dynamic plenaries and interactive breakout sessions, elected officials, scholars, and community leaders worked in dialogue to move beyond diagnosis toward actionable strategies. More than a convening, SOBC 2026 served as a critical space for alignment, advancing a shared vision for a more equitable and prosperous future for Black communities across the state.
See the full program HERE.
Explore the 2024 SOBC Conference Program HERE.
See highlights from the day in the video below.
