Regina Brown Wilson is a media entrepreneur and committed advocate for African American-owned news outlets across California. Her support for Black-owned publishers is centered on increasing their participation in the state’s media economy.

Zion Taddese is the founder of Sheba Farms and recently was presented with the “Black History Maker From Home” award at Black Expo 2023 from RW Media. Taddese has created jobs, produced culturally-rich showcases for African American music and art, and continues to manage the wildly popular operations of the diverse Queen Sheba Restaurant.

Danielle Moné Truitt has applied all that she has learned in Sacramento with reaching stardom as the first African American female lead in a “Law & Order” franchise drama, playing Ayanna Bell on “Law & Ordeat the B Street Theatre in Sacramento in June 2022r”: Organized Crime. Actress and writer Truitt’s produced and presented “3: Black Girl Blues”. Truit was presented with the “Black History Maker From Home” award at Black Expo 2023 by RW Media.

Dr. Joy Johnson is a faith leader for racial reconciliation throughout the Sacramento Region. She is widely recognized for her prophetic voice as a preacher, teacher, and facilitator and her commitment to restoration and healing for individuals and communities. Dr. Johnson has been leading at the local level, most recently as the first woman to preside over Sacramento Area Congregations Together and with her housing-based social services organization, Life Matters, Inc (LMI) in North Highlands. .

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA12), the highest ranking African American woman serving in the U.S. Congress, announced on Feb. 21, that she will enter the race to replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein — the 89-year-old, California’s senior U.S. Senator who has announced that she would not seek another term. “No one is rolling out the welcome mat – especially for someone like me. I am the girl they didn’t allow in, who couldn’t drink from the water fountain, who had an abortion in a back alley when they all were illegal,” Lee said in a video she released announcing her senatorial bid.