More than 500 community members gathered on January 17th at the California Science Center for the 34th Annual Empowerment Congress Summit. The Summit’s centerpiece, the California Governor Candidate Forum, was intentionally designed to create timely and direct access between South Los Angeles voters and statewide candidates, supporting informed and meaningful civic participation at a critical moment in the election cycle.
Hosted by the Empowerment Congress, with KBLA Talk 1580 AM as media partner, the annual Summit—held each year during Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend—focused on making civic engagement approachable, relevant, and rooted in lived experience. The gathering reflected priorities across South Los Angeles, including—but not limited to—the communities of Crenshaw, Baldwin Hills, West Adams, Watts, and Willowbrook, and was supported by a group of more than thirty community organizations, reflecting deep collaboration and a shared commitment to civic engagement.
The nonpartisan Governor Candidate Forum brought gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra, Ian Calderon, Jon Slavet, Tom Steyer, Eric Swalwell, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee into conversation with community members seeking insight into the individuals running to lead the state.
Moderated by Tavis Smiley of KBLA Talk 1580AM , the forum featured questions posed by journalists Lisa Collins, Gustavo Arellano, and Frank Stoltze. Each journalist posed two questions, with candidates given one minute per response. While questions were crafted and posed by seasoned journalists and reflected the issues, concerns and priorities of the South Los Angeles communities, they were informed by input from the Empowerment Congress whose membership is composed primarily of citizens from those communities.
Topics discussed included immigration, healthcare access amid cuts to Medicaid and Medicare funding, emergency response to and recovery following the Eaton fires in West Altadena, the role of faith communities and faith leadership in governance, and reflective questions about leadership, priorities and values. The forum’s structure—clear, time-bound, and equitable—was designed to keep the focus on substance and ensure that candidates and community members could engage in a way that felt civil, respectful, accessible, and grounded.
Participants shared that the event was strongly produced and executed with care, while the forum experience was engaging, familiar, and accessible. Several attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet candidates personally, ask questions that reflected their lived experiences, and gain clarity about the choices before them in the June primary. The top two vote getters will face one another in the November General election.
“This is exactly what the Summit is designed to do—create access that supports informed participation,” said Arna Fulcher, Empowerment Congress Leadership Council Member and this year’s summit chair. “Ensuring that South Los Angeles voices are heard, especially at key civic moments, is central to our mission.” As the election season continues with additional local, state, and national races, the Empowerment Congress will continue to create trusted spaces where communities can access information, engage in dialogue, and participate meaningfully in civic life.
Founded in 1992 by then-Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Empowerment Congress (EC) is a nationally recognized model for civic engagement and participatory democracy. The EC brings together residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses, churches, and community leaders across South LA to educate, engage, and empower communities.
The EC provides tools, training, and opportunities for citizens to better understand government, influence policy, and participate in decision-making that affects their lives. Through signature programs like its Annual Summit and Juneteenth Experience, as well as year-round working group meetings, workshops, and forums, the EC strengthens local voices and promotes meaningful community change. With a legacy rooted in inclusion, accountability, and intentional civility, the EC continues to serve as a dynamic platform for civic action and collective progress. To learn more, visit https://empowermentcongress.org/
