BWOPA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Building Black Political Power. Electing Leaders. Shaping the Future.
For more than 50 years, BWOPA has worked to build the political power, leadership, and influence of Black women in California and beyond.
What began as a bold movement to ensure Black women had a voice and a seat at decision-making tables has grown into an enduring political force—helping elect leaders, shape public policy, influence elections, and build a stronger pipeline of Black women prepared to lead.
As part of the BWOPA ONE family, the BWOPA Political Action Committee (BWOPA-PAC) carries forward this legacy through direct political action.
BWOPA-PAC works to identify, support, endorse, and invest in candidates who reflect our values and are committed to advancing the interests of Black women, families, and communities. We provide candidates with financial support, strategic guidance, political networks, and the collective power necessary not only to run—but to win, govern, and lead with impact.
Representation Is Power
We believe our democracy is strongest when the people making decisions reflect the communities they serve.
Black women have historically been among our nation's most consistent advocates for voting rights, civil rights, economic opportunity, quality education, health equity, public safety, reproductive freedom, and social justice. Yet Black women remain underrepresented in many of the institutions where decisions about our lives and communities are made.
BWOPA-PAC exists to help change that.
We are committed to moving Black women from participation to representation, from representation to influence, and from influence to political power.
We also recognize that meaningful political power requires building coalitions and supporting leaders who understand that policies affecting Black women and communities of color are strongest when informed by lived experience, community voice, and a commitment to equity.
Our Mission
BWOPA-PAC works to:
- RECRUIT — Identify and encourage Black women to pursue elected and appointed leadership and expand their participation and influence throughout the political process.
- ENDORSE & INVEST — Support candidates who demonstrate leadership, integrity, viability, and alignment with BWOPA's principles, policy priorities, and commitment to our communities.
- BUILD THE PIPELINE — Help prepare emerging and established Black women leaders to move from community leadership to public leadership.
- MOBILIZE — Activate members, chapters, partners, and communities around elections, candidates, and issues that directly affect Black women and the broader African American community.
- ADVANCE OUR AGENDA — Build the political power necessary to advance economic security, health equity, educational opportunity, justice, civic participation, and equitable representation.
Political Power — 365 Days a Year
Our work does not begin when a campaign launches or end on Election Day.
Political power is built 365 days a year—through leadership development, candidate recruitment, voter engagement, coalition building, advocacy, fundraising, and sustained investment in the next generation of leaders.
Through BWOPA ONE, we are connecting that work across generations, chapters, communities, and regions to build a stronger political infrastructure for Black women throughout California.
After more than five decades, our charge remains clear:
Elect Black women.
Support leaders who champion our agenda.
Build the pipeline.
Mobilize our communities.
Shape public policy.
Build lasting Black political power.
Join the Movement. Invest in Leadership. Build Political Power.
BWOPA-PAC — Building Black Political Power 365 Days a Year.
BWOPA PAC Board Directors
Officers
- Stephanie Robertson – Vice Chair
- Cine Ivery - Treasurer
- Patricia Brooks - At Large
- Lisa Williams – PAC Adviser
- Hon. Lisa Gauthier - PAC Advisor
- Hon. Lori Wilson - PAC Advisor
- Hon. Rhodesia Ransom - PAC Advisor
- Vashone Huff - East Bay Region
- Shawna Charles - SoCal LA Region
- Antwanisha Williamson - SoCal IE Region
- Champagne Brown - Contra Costa County / Solano / Sacramento
- Anita Stearns Mayo - PAC Consultant (Non-voting member)