214. State of Black Women in California: Kellie Todd Griffin on Equity, Advocacy, and Change

In this episode of The Legal Lens, Angela Reddock‑Wright sits down with Kellie Todd Griffin, CEO of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, to talk about the resilience, joy, and systemic challenges facing Black women in California. Kellie shares her personal story—growing up with a single mother who navigated domestic violence, job instability, mental health struggles, and addiction, moving through eight schools for herself and ten for her brother—before passing away at 42 from undiagnosed diabetes. Motivated by her mother’s hardships, Kellie, joined by other leading California women, founded the Collective in 2018 with the first State of Black Women in California report, leading to a state‑funded think tank at Cal State Dominguez Hills and the Black Women’s Empowerment Institute in 2023. She celebrates how Black women “still smile, still laugh, still dance, still fellowship, still vote, and hold the culture down” amid inequities, and explains the Collective’s focus on total well‑being for Black women. Key Topics Covered Kellie Todd Griffin’s motivation: her mother’s struggles as a young single parent facing domestic violence, instability, mental health issues, addiction, and death at 42 from undiagnosed diabetes. How her mother “made too much for public assistance but not enough for real opportunity,” inspiring Kellie’s commitment to Black women’s equity. The California Black Women’s Collective’s timeline: 2018 State of Black Women report, 2021 full launch, 2022 funding for the think tank at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and 2023 Empowerment Institute. Black women’s resilience: “We still smile, laugh, dance, fellowship, hold faith, vote, and encourage others to vote” despite challenges. Building during crisis: Starting the work in 2018, growing through COVID in 2021–2022 to secure state funding and impact. 🔗 Connect with Angela: InstagramFacebookLinkedInVisit Angela's Website