Is CA Governor Newsom and the California Legislative Black Caucus siphoning Reparations from American Freedmen to the California State University?
What happened with CA Reparations in 2024?
In 2024, two bills SB 1403 (the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency) and SB 1331 (The Fund for Reparations and Reparative Justice) authored by then California Senator Steven Bradford, were held at the Assembly floor and did not make it up for an Assembly vote due to both the CLBC and CA Governor Gavin Newsom’s last minute efforts diverting Reparations resources to be further studied through the California State University (CSU) system as highlighted in reports by Antonio R. Harvey of California Black Media and Cal Matters – Wendy Fry suggesting that amendments proposed by Gavin Newsom and his administration essentially would change the agency to a research bill.
What’s happening now in 2025?
Now, in 2025 SB 437; the CSU research bill to “explore options to determine how to confirm an individual’s status,” is currently in Appropriations and could be heading to the California Assembly floor for a vote when lawmakers come back from recess on August 18, 2025.
What makes this controversial is that California Governor Gavin Newsom is an ex officio trustee with the CSU and has played a significant role in transferring funds from what was potentially supposed to go toward creating an agency, is now allocated to a CSU board he sits on.
On July 22nd, 2025; the CSU Board of Trustees held a hybrid in person and virtual meeting in which public comments were given by members of the community. An attendee Cheryce Cryer stated that, “…using Reparations funds lobbied for/by Black American grassroots communities for anything other than direct compensation is unethical, anti-democratic, and frankly a betrayal…” Governor Newsom was not in attendance during public comments.
In budget bills SB 103/AB 103, 6 million dollars has been directed to the CSU to further establish rules around reparations eligibility, as well as 6 million dollars going to the Tides Foundation to support educating the public about the CA Reparations Task Force. According to the Tide’s Foundation website, they have no specific messaging or support currently for lineage based reparations.
Some Challenges facing the “Bureau” Bill and the CSU Research Study Bill?
In addition, the CSU has no genealogy program to date. Michael Willis, a professional genealogist, gave public testimony at a California Assembly Higher Education hearing asserted that the CSU would most likely refer to genealogists like himself to help assist in the requirements and research to verify those who could potentially qualify for Reparations in California.
Bill SB 518, a bill to create a “Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery” under the CA Department of Justice, would set up a Genealogy division which in part would “establish a process to certify descendants of American slaves.”
Chris Lodgson, a lead advocate for the Coalition For A Just And Equitable California, explains at a California Assembly Judiciary hearing that not only are Genealogist opposing SB 437; both SB 518 and SB 437 are in direct conflict with one another. Each bill would establish a process to verify those who are descendants of enslaved persons in the United States of America which could eventually make the process convoluted and fiscally irresponsible.
SB 437 could potentially extend research until 2029–30 academic year further delaying any direct cash payments.
What’s Next?
With California having the 4th largest economy in the world along with it being a blue state, some might believe that California could lead the way with genuine Reparations on a state level. This is the closest time in modern history that America has seen to heal the harms and the burden that’s been placed on the descendants and their ancestors who built and contributed to the greatest economy in the world for free. However, at this rate, it might be just another performative attempt.
Now with New York being the second state to hold Reparation hearings, once the New York Reparations Commission concludes; the state where the Statue of Liberty resides could surpass California in delivering cash payments and other vital resources to American Freedmen on a state level.
To stay up to date on Reparation efforts in California and Nationwide, check out Emend The Mass Media Group , a grassroots digital media agency focusing on reparations, political education and news. To get an in depth review of the grassroots movement and the California Reparations Task Force, watch the ground breaking film Reparations Now! The Documentary as Emend The Mass Media Group traveled and spoke to community members from northern California in Weed down to the southern border of San Diego in a two year process.
