Citizens for Accountable Leadership (CAL) hosted a reception celebrating the organization’s fourth anniversary. The organization recognized the success of the candidates endorsed by CAL, including candidates who won judicial campaigns and were elected to the Superior Court in Los Angeles County. The event at Dulan’s Restaurant included special guests CAL endorsed officials Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, and Councilwoman Heather Hutt. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna came to celebrate as one of the candidates CAL supported early on in his tough battle for Sheriff.
In 2020, this influential group of community activists, business leaders, medical professionals, and attorneys organized under the banner of The African American Leadership Council for the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign of 2020. In less than three months, the group raised $100,000 for the campaign. Working together to accomplish this great fundraising accomplishment, the group agreed to continue their efforts to serve the community, forming the Citizens for Accountable Leadership (CAL), formally designated as an unincorporated association.
CAL adopted a two-fold mission. The first was to continue providing financial support to viable candidates seeking public office whom CAL found compelling reasons to endorse and offer financial aid. The second, equally important mission, is to provide a platform for candidates, elected officials, business leaders, and government officials to discuss issues relevant to the community.
According to CAL’s president-emeritus, Dr. Gail Willis, “ Our published documents
can reach a wide range of citizens on issues. Citizens may not agree with us on nominees for office, or initiatives but we must provide as much information as possible on what is going on in the political arena. We sponsor in-person or online public meetings with movers and shakers in the political, community, and business world that are open to the public.”
Attorney Rickey Ivie, CAL President, explains, “CAL was formed to fill a need to support candidates from our community financially. Recognizing its communication capabilities, network of business associates, friends, and organizational memberships, CAL is determined to contribute to the dialogue on issues vital to our community.”
CAL also held a productive and informative meeting on March 1, 2025, with Mayor Karen Bass. Different issues were discussed, including the Los Angeles fire recovery efforts, the continuing community improvement and business development, and strategies for communicating more effectively with the community.
Per Joe Rouzan, CAL V.P., “ CAL had the opportunity to discuss in-depth issues that have not been deeply analyzed by the majority press. While there have been great strides in the recovery efforts in the aftermath of the fire, press coverage has been focused on inter-government disagreements, guessing games on who is responsible for the catastrophe, and failed to adequately report on revitalization efforts.”
At the meeting, Mayor Bass outlined her priorities on the fire recovery and future of Los Angeles.” The Mayor reported that in two months since the devastation, dedicated staff on the local, state, and national levels have led to the fastest disaster recovery effort in California history. For standing structures in Palisades, “Safe Drinking Water” has been declared. Phase 1 of debris removal in the Palisades was completed 28 days, months ahead of schedule. A fully functional one-stop rebuilding center so fire victims only have to travel to one location to receive needed information for recovery has been established.
