By Angela de Joseph
The theme of the Women of Color Roar Black History Month Breakfast this year was “60 years of Triumph – Black women leaders at the forefront of Civil Rights and Voting Rights” Over five hundred community members, elected officials and students from San Diego high schools and colleges convened at San Diego Community College on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
The annual event was displaced by the devastating flood that damaged the Jacob Center for Neighborhood Innovation and the surrounding neighborhoods. “The president of San Diego City College, Dr. Ricky Shabazz, came to our rescue by offering to host our event and bring joy and healing to our community,” said Angela de Joseph, Women of Color Roar founder and president.
Each year the Women of Color Roar Breakfast has connected a high profile roster of elected officials with San Diego County high school and college students to celebrate Black History Month and encourage young women of color to run for office and seek careers in public service. This year the event became a mecca for a community decimated by storms and flood damage.
Speakers at this year’s early morning summit included; Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Mayor Todd Gloria, Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas, Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe and Assemblymember Mia Bonta.
Dr. Weber brought home the parallel between the women who triumphed over sixty years of adversity and the Women of Color Roar team that refused to cancel the event. “When folks were saying, ‘Oh, my goodness, what’s going to happen?’ Black people are resilient, we rise even higher. We are even more committed. If we had let the obstacles of life stop us we wouldn’t be here today, none of us would be here.”
HONOREES
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett
SEIU 221 President Crystal Irving
CA Black Women’s Collective President/CEO Kellie Todd Griffin
CA Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins
BACKGROUND
This year’s event celebrated Black History Month by honoring women leaders at the forefront of civil rights and voting engagement with a focus on 60 years since the Civil Rights Act and Freedom Summer.
The Women of Color Roar Breakfast began in 2018 with the mission to celebrate African American elected officials and encourage young women of color to run for office and pursue careers in public service.
