By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) represents the 60th Assembly District. He was first elected in November 2022.
In the Legislature, Jackson has emerged as a key voice on issues related to equity, social services, and community well-being — first as chair of the Human Services Committee in 2023 and now as chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services. His leadership has placed him at the center of some of the state’s most urgent conversations, from protecting essential safety-net programs to shaping long-term strategies for children, families, and vulnerable Californians.
A graduate of CSU San Bernardino and California Baptist University, Jackson brings a blend of academic expertise and lived experience to the Capitol.
California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Dr. Jackson about his successes and disappointments this year as well as his goals for 2026.
What stands out to you as your most important achievement this year?
My most important achievement this year was my work as the budget subcommittee chair for human services. We’ve been able to preserve a lot of the housing programs within our social safety net to prevent our seniors and low-income people from falling into homelessness.
How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?
The work that I do in terms of supporting our most vulnerable African Americans who are receiving assistance, making sure that as we strengthen our social safety net, our brothers and sisters throughout the state will have a better foundation to work from.
I think that our reparations achievements as a Black Caucus have also been significant. My job in the Black Caucus is to steer all of our bills to the governor’s desk. I’m the coordinator, or the conductor, of our reparations bills. We’re building an infrastructure for people that’s embedded in the state, and that’s never been done anywhere in the nation before.
What frustrated you the most this year?
The constant crises — whether they’re natural disasters, the state budget, the economy, or Donald Trump. It’s been quite some time — probably since maybe Reagan — that we’ve had such an anti-Black president. Someone who is literally trying to weaken our political power, weaken our voice, weaken our culture, weaken our history. That’s probably the most frustrating part.
What has inspired you most this year?
The story of our people. When the going gets tough, it makes us stronger as a community. It speaks to our resilience; it speaks to us being the conscience of this state and this nation. During the worst of times is when we shine the brightest as a community.
What is one lesson you’ve learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?
Trust your gut. And hold the line.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?
Collective action
When we act together, when we speak and act with one voice and one action, the whole world listens. Target is finding that out, right? So, the idea is: we must do it more. We only lose when we are not working together.
What is the goal you want to achieve the most in 2026?
I want to end seniors falling into homelessness next year. You’ve just got to fight for the money and the budget to do it. You can’t allow the crises to stop you from making progress. It’s about being laser-focused.
And, obviously, many seniors, families, and people experiencing homelessness are African American. So, I think it’s time to do right by our ancestors and by the people whose shoulders we stand on.