A coalition of Black media organizations and education advocates will host a nonpartisan gubernatorial candidate forum on President’s Day focused on improving outcomes for Black students in California’s public schools.
The free event, titled the 2026 California Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Black Student Success, will take place Monday, Feb. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the offices of The Sacramento OBSERVER 2890 Gateway Oaks Drive in Sacramento.
The forum is sponsored by The OBSERVER, along with California Black Media and the Black in School Coalition. Organizers say the discussion will center on the academic performance, opportunities and systemic challenges facing Black students from transitional kindergarten through higher education.
Candidates will participate remotely, while moderators will lead the discussion in person from The OBSERVER’s office. The event will feature a moderated panel discussion followed by audience questions from Black education advocates, parents, students and community leaders in attendance.
The invited candidates include San José Mayor Matt Mahan (D); U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D); U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D); businessman and environmental activist Tom Steyer (D); Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R); U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D); former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D); former California State Controller Betty Yee (D); California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond (D); former California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D); and political commentator and former adviser to former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, Steve Hilton (R).
Confirmed participants include Calderon, Mahan, Thurmond, Villaraigosa and Yee.
Candidates will be asked to outline their vision and specific policy proposals aimed at closing long-standing education equity gaps for Black students across California.
Co-sponsors include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Beta Lambda Chapter; Black Students of California United; K. Stewart Foundation – Justice in Education Coalition; National Action Network, Sacramento Chapter; and National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Sacramento Chapter.
Organizers say the forum is intended to provide voters with a direct opportunity to hear how candidates plan to address disparities in academic achievement, school discipline, college readiness and access to educational resources.
Organizers say they hope the conversation will spark meaningful dialogue and concrete policy commitments aimed at improving educational outcomes for Black students statewide.
Attend online by registering here.