1. Local Action: CJEC Volunteers Driving SB 515 Implementation

• CJEC volunteers continue showing up at city councils and county boards across California.

• Volunteers are educating staff and elected officials on lineage-based data and its importance.

• Public comment, follow-up emails, and direct staff engagement are pushing jurisdictions to prepare for SB 515 compliance.

• Multiple cities and counties are beginning to outline questions, timelines, and next steps.

2. Statewide: New CA Legislative Season Begins in Weeks

• The 2025–2026 legislative cycle opens in early January.

• Key things to watch:
  Will the vetoed "Road to Repair" bills return?
  Will any Real Reparations bills — income, wealth, lineage — be introduced?
  Will lawmakers introduce any bills specifically for descendants of enslaved Black Americans?
  Will the Governor include Real Reparations funding in his January 2026 budget proposal?

3. Community Engagement: CJEC × CABWHP — This Friday

• As part of the California Black Women's Health Project’s statewide 12 Days of Wellness, CJEC is supporting Reparations-themed community meetings in LA and the Bay Area this Friday.

  • Register at: https://12well.org

• Events connect Reparations with wellness, healing, and community empowerment.

• A strong opportunity to bring new people into the work and deepen community understanding.

4. Local Commissions & Boards: Updates Across California

• Alameda County — Approved a "redress fund" for former Russell City residents.

• Santa Monica — Task Force developing a Community Harms Report and recommendations.

• Berkeley Unified School District — Completed final Reparations report and recommendations.

• Los Angeles — Completed final Reparations report and recommendations.

• Sacramento — In the beginning stages of developing a Reparations Action Plan.