By Macy Meinhardt, V&V Staff Writer, CA Local News Fellow
Hundreds of San Diegan women gathered Saturday morning for the 2025 Woman of Color ROAR Breakfast, celebrating the impact and achievements of Black women in the community.
For the last seven years, the event has been kicking off on the first day of Black History month on Feb. 1. This year, the national context surrounding the rollback of civil right initiatives like DEI fueled a palpable energy in the room, underscoring the importance of unity now more than ever.
“There is a target among us, and an effort to destroy basically everything we have built, now is the time to fight,” said California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber.
The selected theme of this year’s breakfast, “Rooted in Resilience” reflects this message.
Held at San Diego City College, warm smiles, hugs, selfies, music, and fellowship filled the space as women from all ages and backgrounds came together as one.
“The noise of the world has made me craving community and this moment did not disappoint,” wrote La Mesa President Ashabti Hands, Ed.H, after the event.
Angela De Joseph is the founder and visionary of the annual breakfast through her nonprofit Women of Color Roar Media. The mission of the women led organization is to empower BIPOC women into positions of leadership and public service.
When it comes to Black women in elected office, no one has served a better example of this than Kamala Harris has in the last year.
As a result, the event was held in special honor of the former Vice President, whose historic presidential run sparked an outpouring of enthusiasm, support and passion from women of color worldwide.
“Today, we take time to recognize those incredible trailblazers who came before us—upon whose broad shoulders we stand—and celebrate those who keep that
legacy alive through service,” signed Kamala Harris in a statement for the event.
Jokata Eaddy, this year’s recipient of the Woman Warrior Award, played a key role in mobilizing support for Harris quickly after she announced her intent to run for office.
Eaddy is the founder of the #WinwithBlackWoman, a collective group of women who come together each week on zoom to discuss pain points, political strategy and advocacy efforts . The group grew by the thousands over the years. When Harris’s campaign kicked off the weekly call grew to about 44,000 users in one session; raising $1.6 million from that call alone.
Jokata Eaddy speaking to audience members over zoom. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt
Eaddy’s mobilization efforts began a chain reaction of support for the presidential candidate prompting subgroups like WhiteDudes4Harris, Cat Ladies For Harris, Tech4Harris and more.
Cheryl Phelps, ACLU Chief Communications Officer, was also a recipient of this year’s Woman Warrior Award. A lifelong San Diegan, Phelps has achieved over three decades worth of experience in dismantling injustice through nonprofit, philanthropic and legislative environments around the world.
The ACLU is a 105-year-old civil rights organization that fights to resolve deep-rooted inequities denying citizens of their constitutional rights and freedoms. Directing communications for the ACLU, Phelps’ work helps shape the organization’s voice through their mission.
Other Woman Warrior award recipients included US Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Ramla Sahid, Executive Director for the Advancement of New Americans.
Buki Domigos & DSOUL provided the entertainment for the event. In addition to her talented vocal and musical capacity, Domingos herself has made extraordinary contributions to the community. As a former sex trafficking survivor, Domingos now serves as a strong advocate for social justice through her roles as public speaker, podcast host, and co-founder of the Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego.
Meanwhile, newly elected state senator Dr. Akilah Weber (D-39) was honored this year as the recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award.
“Whether she’s delivering results for her constituents or delivering
countless babies as a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, Senator
Dr. Weber-Pierson, a dedicated public servant, has proven herself a
true leader,” as stated in this years program book.
In addition, Jackie Robinson YMCA Executive Director Anna Aranciba received the Changemaker award this year for her contributions to the community and reputation as “a fierce protector of civil liberties and a champion for those
who had been forgotten or dismissed.”
Emphasizing advocacy and representation, the event was a powerful reminder that the fight for equity persists, fueled by the strength of women who refuse to be silenced.
