BWOPA ONE

Leadership & Vision

LaNiece Jones
State President & CEO

Under the leadership of State President & CEO LaNiece Jones, BWOPA California is building upon its proud legacy while embracing a bold vision for the future through BWOPA ONE—a unified strategy that strengthens and aligns every facet of the organization's mission.

BWOPA ONE brings together the three pillars of the movement:

• BWOPA (501(c)(4)) — Organizing, engaging, and strengthening local chapters while advancing civic participation, advocacy, and community leadership across California.
• TILE – Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment (501(c)(3)) — Developing the next generation of leaders through education, leadership development, mentorship, research, and public policy initiatives.
• B*PAC (Political Action Committee) — Supporting and electing endorsed candidates who champion policies that advance equity, opportunity, and justice for Black communities.

Together, these three entities create a seamless pathway for leadership development, civic engagement, advocacy, and political action—expanding BWOPA's capacity to build lasting Black civic power throughout California.

LaNiece's vision is rooted in innovation, collaboration, and intergenerational leadership. Through strategic partnerships, youth engagement, entrepreneurship, public policy, and community empowerment, she is positioning BWOPA to inspire a new generation of changemakers while honoring the extraordinary legacy of the women who built the organization.

Together, we are building Black civic power, strengthening communities, and preparing the next generation of leaders to shape California's future.

Our Mission

Black Women Organized for Political Action California (BWOPA-CA) is a statewide leadership and advocacy organization dedicated to activating, empowering, educating, and advancing Black women as influential voices in civic life, public policy, and community leadership.

We are committed to increasing Black political participation, strengthening civic engagement, developing the next generation of leaders, and advancing policies that improve the lives of Black families and communities throughout California.  Our work includes:

• Developing leaders through training, mentorship, and the Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment (TILE).
• Expanding representation by increasing Black voices at every level of public leadership and decision-making.
• Advancing public policy by advocating for equitable solutions that strengthen our communities.
• Building Black civic power through strategic partnerships, coalition-building, and community organizing.
• Preserving our legacy by honoring and documenting the leadership and contributions of Black women throughout California.

Together, we are building a future where Black women lead, communities thrive, and every voice has the power to shape tomorrow.

Our History & Legacy

Founded in 1968 as an outgrowth of Bay Area Women for Dellums, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is the oldest Black women's political organization in California.

What began with twelve visionary women—Alfreda Abbott, Edith Austin, Margaret Amoureaux, Belva Davis, Ruth Hagwood-Webb, Aileen Hernandez, Ella Hill Hutch, Mary Jane Johnson, Dorothy Pitts, Teola Sanders, Frances Taylor, and Dezie Woods-Jones—grew into a powerful movement that mobilized hundreds of women to help elect Congressman Ron V. Dellums to the United States Congress.

In 1971, more than 350 Black women gathered at The Rainbow Sign in Berkeley to formally establish BWOPA, creating an organization dedicated to advancing Black leadership, civic engagement, and political empowerment throughout California.

Founding member Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones became BWOPA's first State President, serving for nearly three decades. Under her visionary leadership, BWOPA expanded across California while championing:

• Leadership development and youth engagement
• Chapter growth and statewide membership
• Public policy advocacy and civic participation
• The election and appointment of Black women to public office

Today, as State President Emeritus, Hon. Woods-Jones remains an enduring source of inspiration. Her extraordinary legacy of service, leadership, and advocacy continues to shape BWOPA's mission and generations of Black women leaders committed to advancing equity, opportunity, and justice.

For more than 55 years, BWOPA has remained steadfast in its mission: Building Black leadership. Strengthening communities. Advancing political power.

Our Impact

From its humble beginnings, BWOPA has played a critical role in the success of trailblazing Black women leaders including:

• Ella Hill Hutch – the first African American woman elected to office in the Bay Area
• Doris Ward – San Francisco Assessor
• Darlene Lawson – Oakland Board of Education
• Congresswoman Diane Watson,
• Congresswoman Barbara Lee,
• Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and
• Vice President Kamala Harris

Through BWOPA, countless Black women have been mentored, empowered and supported to lead as elected officials, advocates, and community change-makers.

BWOPA Today

With chapters across California and networks nationwide, BWOPA continues to be a multi-faceted powerhouse for advocacy, training, and political action. Through BWOPA One, the organization is positioned to grow stronger, deepen its impact, and continue creating pathways for Black women leaders across civic, political, and community spheres.

Signature Events

• Annual Ella Hill Hutch  
• Annual Legacy Leadership Sister Circle