I was honored to welcome Kellie Todd Griffin, the visionary President CEO of the California Black Women’s Collective, back to the Legal Lens podcast. As a veteran advocate and strategist, Kellie Todd Griffin has moved the needle for Black women in California by bridging the gap between raw data and real-world policy.
In this episode, we take a deep look at the Collective’s recent findings, the launch of the California Black Women’s Think Tank, and why the future remains bright.
Listen to the full conversation with Kellie Todd Griffin below:
Navigate the Episode:
- 04:30 – Kellie’s Personal “Why”: A Legacy of Resilience
- 10:15 – The Evolution of the California Black Women’s Collective
- 15:30 – Tripling the Bench: Success in Black Women in Elected Office
- 17:35 – The 2025 State of Black Women in California Report: Economic Realities
- 25:40 – “She Works”: Addressing Workforce Development Barriers
- 32:15 – Advocacy in Action: Legislative Day at the Capitol
- 36:10 – The Holly J. Mitchell Empowerment Leadership Institute
Kellie’s Personal “Why”: A Legacy of Resilience
Every champion for Black women’s equity has a “why,” and for Kellie Todd Griffin, it is rooted in the life of her mother.
During our conversation, Kellie opened up about the domestic violence and economic instability her mother faced—challenges that are still all too common for many women today. This personal history serves as the engine behind her advocacy, ensuring that the struggles of the past inform the solutions of the future. By sharing her mother’s story, Kellie humanizes the data points we often discuss in the legal and political landscape.
“I usually think about my mother in terms of how often some type of support or information could have just made that journey a little easier… she’s always been that beacon, like, if I could do this, someone like my mother will not struggle the way she did.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
This legacy of resilience transitioned into a professional mission as Kellie began to formalize her efforts into what we now know as a statewide movement. Her mother’s “rollercoaster” journey provided the blueprint for the types of systemic support systems Kellie is now building from the ground up.
Related Article: Attorney Nicole Austin Hillery on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Civil Rights, and Economic Power
The Evolution of the California Black Women’s Collective
The California Black Women’s Collective did not appear overnight; it was forged through intentional organizing and a need for a unified voice during a time of political transition.
Starting with the first quality of life report in 2018, Kellie Todd Griffin explained how the organization grew from a small gathering to a massive statewide collaborative. The group was galvanized by the need to ensure Black women remained represented in high-level political seats, proving that collective action is the only way to move the needle on a geographic footprint as large as California.
“2018 is the first time we did the State of Black Women in California report. That was really important to me to do a report to show the quality of life indexes of Black women… and then we moved forward in 2021 to really bring together the full state of Black women.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
As the organization grew, so did its impact on the political landscape, leading to a historic shift in who holds power in the state. By connecting the North and the South, the Collective transformed from a simple gathering into a powerhouse of political influence.
Tripling the Bench: Success in Black Women in Elected Office
One of the most staggering successes of the Collective since 2018 is the explosion of Black women in elected office. Kellie Todd Griffin emphasizes that they aren’t just looking for a seat at the table; they are bringing an entire bench of talent with them.
By actively supporting candidates and raising funds through their PAC, they have fundamentally changed the face of leadership in California. This isn’t just about representation; it’s about shifting the power dynamics to favor those who understand the community’s needs most intimately.
“When we started the work, we had 100 Black electives. Today we have over 300 Black electives and counting… 73 percent are Black women that are elected in the state of California.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
However, political power is only one piece of the puzzle. As we discussed, legislative wins must translate into kitchen-table improvements, as the economic data continues to show that many women are still being left behind in the post-pandemic era.
The 2025 State of Black Women in California Report: Economic Realities
We cannot fix what we do not measure, and the State of Black Women in California report provides the necessary (and often sobering) data to drive change. The research, housed within the California Black Women’s Think Tank at Cal State Dominguez Hills, reveals that Black women are still facing significant headwinds.
Kellie Todd Griffin discussed how national job losses and systemic wage suppression in the service sector are creating a crisis of economic mobility that requires immediate policy intervention and institutional investment.
“We saw 300,000 Black women in the first couple of months of a new administration losing their jobs… we still have one of the highest unemployment rates among all women. At the same time, a quarter of the women that work in California work in service, and we know those salaries are usually suppressed.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
Recognizing these economic barriers led the Collective to move beyond just data collection and into program development. By identifying these gaps, they created specific, hands-on initiatives to assist women in navigating the complexities of the modern job market.
“She Works”: Addressing Workforce Development Barriers
Programs like “She Works” are designed to meet women where traditional systems have failed them. By focusing on workforce development for unemployed, underemployed, and system-impacted women, the Collective is ensuring that the “soft life” isn’t just a hashtag, but a tangible reality.
Kellie Todd Griffin highlighted that this program removes the “hidden” barriers to employment, such as childcare and transportation, which often prevent Black women from succeeding in the professional sphere even when they have the skills.
“‘She Works’ is a workforce development program that’s designed from the life experiences of Black women… we make sure that they have childcare stipends. We make sure that they have transportation, we have wraparound services for them.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
This commitment to the current workforce is matched only by the Collective’s dedication to the leaders of tomorrow. By removing barriers today, they are clearing a path for the young women who will one day lead these very institutions.
Related Article: April Verrett on SEIU’s Vision for a “More Just Society,” the Power of Labor Unions, and Making History as the First Black President of SEIU
Advocacy in Action: Legislative Day at the Sacramento State Capitol
To change the statistics, you have to change the laws. Kellie Todd Griffin detailed the Collective’s recent Legislative Day, where they brought women from every corner of the state to Sacramento.
This day of advocacy is about more than just meetings; it’s about showing the “cradle to career” spectrum of the Black experience and ensuring that legislators understand the unique needs of Black women in California when it comes to resource allocation, safety, and sex trafficking protections.
“The goal of that is to really just bring people to the capitol, to show them how policy is made, but also to advocate for the needs of Black women from their lens and their experience.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
This day at the Capitol also served as a profound learning experience for the younger generation. Seeing teens and seniors advocate side-by-side illustrates the intergenerational strength of the movement and prepares the youth for their future roles.
The Holly J. Mitchell Empowerment Leadership Institute
The future of Black leadership is being cultivated now through the Holly J. Mitchell Empowerment Leadership Institute, which focuses on middle and high school girls to ensure the legacy of trailblazers continues.
Kellie Todd Griffin shared how seeing these young girls embrace their joy and leadership potential brings the mission full circle. These girls are not just participants; they are the “first cohort” of a new era of leadership that refuses to be sidelined.
“These young ladies will be our future leaders and they will rule the world… they’re best of the best. They’re the best and the brightest. If you ever want to really feel what we have in the future, you have to watch and see that they are flying high.” — Kellie Todd Griffin
Want to Hear More from Experts Like Kellie Todd Griffin? Subscribe to the Legal Lens Podcast Today!
I have dedicated my career to helping litigants resolve their legal disputes through the mediation and dispute resolution process, and by helping dissect the legal issues that shape our public discourse and workplace dynamics, whether it be as a radio and podcast show host, or as a legal analyst in the news.
My mission as the host of the Legal Lens radio show and podcast is to empower you with objective, expert-driven insights born from years of practice at the intersection of law and society.
Download and subscribe to the Legal Lens podcast today to hear more insights from leading experts like Kellie Todd Griffin.
To download and listen to the show with Kellie Todd Griffin on Apple or Spotify, click below:
To learn about all things Legal Lens, follow me on Instagram @iamangelareddockwright.
Follow Kellie Todd Griffin and the California Black Women’s Collective at www.cablackwomenscollective.org and on social media @cablackwomenscollective.
Angela’s Other Work
Learn more about my book – The Workplace Transformed: 7 Crucial Lessons from the Global Pandemic – here – https://angelareddock-wright.com/book/
Learn more about my work as an employment and Title IX mediator at Angela J. Reddock-Wright | Signature Resolution, and on LinkedIn @Angela J. Reddock-Wright, Esq., AWI-CH.
Book Angela
For media or booking inquiries, please contact danny@kwsmdigital.com.
This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.