Tom Steyer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate running for governor of California / Courtesy Photo

A virtual candidates forum hosted April 10 by the African American Community Empowerment Council (AACEC) brought together Black leaders from across California to question Democratic gubernatorial candidates on issues ranging from housing and education to criminal justice and economic equity.

The two-hour online event, held from 10 a.m. to noon, was designed to elevate concerns impacting Black Californians and help inform a coordinated political strategy ahead of the state’s upcoming primary election.

Organizers invited three Democratic candidates — Tom Steyer, Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter — but only Steyer ultimately participated.

AACEC co-chair Betty Williams opened the forum by outlining the structure: candidates would answer a set of prepared questions from council members, followed by audience questions submitted through the chat.

The forum began with a prayer led by Rev. Edgar Boyd, who emphasized the broader stakes of the discussion, calling the moment “critical” for both California and the nation.

AACEC leaders also used the opening portion to explain the organization’s mission and political strategy.

Boyd described the council as a statewide coalition of Black professionals, faith leaders and community-based organizations focused on advocacy in areas including health, education, housing and economic opportunity.

He stressed that the forum was part of a larger effort to unify Black voter support behind a viable Democratic candidate in the state’s top-two “jungle primary” system.

Steyer, a businessman and former presidential candidate, joined the forum as the sole participating candidate after Swalwell cited a scheduling conflict and Porter did not respond to the invitation, organizers said.

In his opening remarks, Steyer framed his campaign around affordability and structural inequality, telling attendees that “Californians can’t afford to live in California anymore,” citing housing, health care and energy costs.

He also acknowledged systemic inequities affecting Black communities, stating that “there continues to be structural racism” that must be “intentionally redressed.”

Much of the discussion centered on the racial wealth gap, with AACEC members pressing Steyer on specific policies to expand Black business ownership and access to capital.

Steyer emphasized financial access as a key lever, pointing to his experience co-founding a community bank aimed at addressing redlining.

“It’s absolutely critical to give people a different opportunity to buy houses and build businesses,” he said.

On housing, Steyer proposed a multi-pronged approach that included reforming zoning and permitting processes, investing in alternative construction methods and expanding financing support for low-income and Black homebuyers.

“Being able to buy a house based on financing is a specific problem,” he said, adding that the state “has not distinguished itself” in that area.

Education also emerged as a major topic. Steyer called for universal pre-K for three-year-olds and increased school funding, funded in part by closing what he described as a “corporate real estate tax loophole.”

“We need to get kids early,” he said, arguing that early literacy outcomes are a key predictor of long-term success.

AACEC members also raised concerns about disparities in the criminal justice system. Steyer said he supports continued movement away from mass incarceration toward rehabilitation and reentry programs.

“I know that the majority of people who are incarcerated need treatment, need rehabilitation,” he said, arguing that such approaches reduce recidivism and benefit society overall.

Questions about representation prompted Steyer to commit to diversity in leadership roles within his administration.

“Personnel is policy,” he said. “Having Black people in leadership positions is critical.”

Organizers repeatedly emphasized that the forum was not an endorsement event but part of a broader vetting process.

AACEC plans to convene a follow-up strategy session April 26 to determine a unified recommendation for Black voters statewide.

Boyd said the April 10 discussion was intended as “a fact-finding, information-finding” session to evaluate candidates’ positions before making a collective decision.

He also underscored the political influence of Black voters in California despite their relatively small share of the population.

The forum concluded with a summary of Steyer’s commitments, including addressing racial disparities, expanding access to capital and pursuing reforms in education, housing and criminal justice.

Organizers said additional opportunities for engagement with candidates are planned in the coming weeks as the primary election approaches.