California Puts Black Girl Joy on the Calendar Every Aug. 10
Bo Tefu | California Black Media
California has designated Aug. 10 as Black Girl Joy Day, an annual statewide celebration of Black girls’ achievements, talents and potential.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 226, authored by Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City, was chaptered by the secretary of state Aug. 20 as Resolution Chapter 193. It passed the Assembly 70-0 and also received unanimous Senate approval.
The measure recognizes Black girls’ contributions to California’s social, cultural, economic and political life and the systemic barriers they face. It encourages activities that amplify their voices and foster communities in which they can thrive.
“Black Girl Joy Day started with a very simple but powerful belief: our girls deserve spaces where they do not have to overcome something to be celebrated,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, president and CEO of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CBWCEI).
“They deserve to experience joy simply because they exist. They deserve to know that California sees them, values them and believes in their future. To see August 10 permanently recognized as Black Girl Joy Day is incredibly meaningful,” added Todd Griffin.
The institute created the observance to celebrate Black girls through mentorship, programs and community events. Its broader work uses research, policy change and practice transformation to improve the lives of Black women and girls and advance their social and economic mobility.
“This is bigger than a day on the calendar,” Todd Griffin said. “We created Black Girl Joy Day to change the narrative around Black girls. Too often, conversations about our girls begin with disparities, discipline, trauma or what they lack. We are intentionally beginning from a different place. We begin with their gifts. We begin with their dreams. We begin with their potential. We begin with joy.”
“Our goal is for a Black girl anywhere in California to wake up on August 10 and know that this day belongs to her,” Todd Griffin said. “From Los Angeles to Oakland, Sacramento to San Diego, Fresno to the Inland Empire, we want our girls surrounded by communities telling them: We see you. We celebrate you. Your dreams matter. Your voice matters. And your joy matters.”
Sacramento: Republicans Demand Data on How Much “Cost-Saving” Bills Really Cost Taxpayers
California Republicans are demanding an independent review of how several bills and regulations could affect consumers, arguing that lawmakers should know the potential costs before imposing new requirements on residents and businesses.
The lawmakers made the request during an Aug. 24 affordability press conference, where they called on the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) to prepare Citizen Cost Impact Reports on five bills as the Legislature enters the final week of the 2025-26 session.
Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno) questioned how Californians are faring under current policies.
“With this tire fire of a supermajority and under Governor Newsom’s tenure, is your life better today than it was before that?” Tangipa said.
In a letter to Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek, 12 lawmakers requested reviews of a number of current bills: AB 1448, AB 1776, AB 2646, SB 295 and SB 1259. Republicans argue the measures could increase costs for Californians, including through higher gas and food prices and additional costs for businesses.
They also asked the LAO to examine potential consumer costs associated with AB 844, a 2003 law they say was recently cited by the California Energy Commission in connection with new replacement tire efficiency standards.
Republicans claim the standards could result in 70% of tires sold in California being unavailable by 2033, potentially increasing costs for drivers.
Tangipa said the request is intended to give Californians more information about the financial impact of legislation and regulations.
“This letter is to simply ask the question before you implement a regulation or a bill is do we deserve to know how much it’s going to cost the people,” he said.
The lawmakers cited gas prices, utility bills, rent and credit card debt as financial pressures facing California families. They said independent analyses would provide greater transparency if the Legislature moves forward with the bills.
“If we are in the richest state in the richest country in the history of the world, why is it so hard to live here?” Tangipa said.
The request was signed by Assembly Minority Leader Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) and 11 other lawmakers. The Republicans urged the Legislature to hold the bills while their potential costs are evaluated.
