BWOPA East Bay Regional Leaders
BWOPA East Bay Leaders Building Black Civic Power Through Community Leadership
Across California, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is building on nearly six decades of advocacy and leadership. With 10 chapters across the state, BWOPA’s growing network is developing leaders, strengthening civic engagement, and building Black political power from the community level up.
That work is taking root in the East Bay, where Regional Director VaShone Huff and Chapter Presidents Danielle Motley-Lewis (Oakland/Berkeley) and RocQuel Johnson (Hayward/South County) are expanding civic education, developing new leaders, and ensuring Black voices help shape the policies impacting their communities.
Under the leadership of State President & CEO LaNiece Jones, BWOPA is carrying forward the vision of its 12 Black women founders, who understood that democracy is stronger when Black women are represented wherever decisions are made. Today, BWOPA organizes and advocates around four core issues that directly impact Black women, families, and communities: health equity, criminal justice reform, education reform, and economic empowerment.
“For nearly six decades, BWOPA has understood a simple truth: when you strengthen Black women, you strengthen Black families; when you strengthen Black families, you strengthen entire communities,” said Jones. “Our vision is to ensure Black women and our communities are informed, civically engaged, and empowered to shape the policies that impact their lives. Our power is local, and when we organize locally, our collective voice transforms California.”
In the East Bay, that vision means building trusted community partnerships, advancing public policy education, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating opportunities for residents to engage long before and after Election Day.
As California prepares for the November election, BWOPA is encouraging communities to register, make a plan to vote, and ensure their voices are heard. But civic engagement extends beyond the ballot box. It also means serving on boards and commissions, attending public meetings, advocating for equitable policies, and holding decision-makers accountable.
With 10 chapters and a growing statewide network, BWOPA is creating more pathways for Black women to connect, learn, advocate, and lead.
Ready to find your place in the movement? BE A BWOPA GIRL. Join us. Get involved. Lead with us.
For membership, voter engagement, and leadership opportunities, contact [email protected] or visit www.bwopatileleads.org.