wss3-12-26

WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER

Inland Empire Event Celebrates Legacy and Leadership of Black Women in Politics

By Regina Wilson | California Black Media

• RESPECT MY GROWN
• ORNIA POLI
• CAN WOR

THE RISE OF AF

Felicia Alexander, San Bernardino City Unified School District Trustee, Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers, Pat Moon, Marla Matime, Councilwoman Stevonna Evans, City of Adelanto, Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs, Riverside County Board of Education Trustee, Mayor Acquanetta Warren City of Fontana, Hon. Cheryl Brown, 47th District and Hon. Deborah Robertson City of Rialto.

SAN BERNARDINO At the start of Women's History Month, community leaders, students and residents gathered in the Inland Empire to celebrate the legacy and leadership of Black women in public service through a screening of the documentary Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics.

The event, held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the San Bernardino Valley College Audi- torium, brought together elected officials and community advocates to reflect on the growing impact of African American women in politi- cal leadership. The program was co-presented by the Alexander Family Foundation, Young Women's Empowerment Foundation and Black Elected Officials (BEO) of California.

The documentary chronicles the rise and in- fluence of Black women in California politics, highlighting the challenges they have navi- gated and the leadership roles they continue to play in shaping public policy and community outcomes across the state.

Several Inland Empire leaders featured in the film were recognized during the evening, including former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, former Rialto Mayor Deborah Robert- son and Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren ― trailblazers whose public service careers have helped shape the region's civic and political landscape.

film's director and producer Pam Moon, fol- lowed by an acknowledgement of dignitaries by former councilmember and BEO board di- rector Damon Alexander before the screening.

Organizers said bringing the documentary to the Inland Empire was an opportunity to con- nect California's broader political history with local leadership.

"The Alexander Family Foundation was hon- ored to initiate the idea of bringing the Re- spect My Crown film to the Inland Empire, celebrating the legacy of African American women whose leadership continues to shape policy and transform the landscape for African Americans and all communities," Damon and The program opened with remarks from the Felicia Alexander said in a joint statement.