Oakland, CA — Today, Black clergy and faith leaders across California released an Open Letter to the Community calling for unity, civic engagement, and moral leadership as the state approaches a pivotal election season.
Organized by the Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) Faith Leader Engagement Network, the letter urges congregations and communities to stand together in prayer, participation, and purpose to protect democracy and ensure that every eligible voter is informed, registered, and empowered to vote.
LaNiece Jones, State President of BWOPA said. “We know the nation is watching. Black women and communities of faith have always been the moral compass of our time — guiding movements for justice, equity, and the common good. As we mobilize together, we are once again leading with conviction, courage, and love for our people and our democracy.”
“Our faith calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” the letter reads. “We vote not out of fear, but out of faith — believing that our collective voice can heal, restore, and build a more just California.”
The statewide initiative includes clergy, interfaith leaders, and community advocates from the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Central Valley, and beyond. It also launches a social media toolkit with shareable graphics, scriptures, and sample messages to help churches and leaders spread awareness and encourage early voting and civic participation through November 4, 2025.
“Throughout history, the Black Church has stood at the forefront of movements for justice, freedom, and equality,” said Pastor VaShone Huff, Co-Director of BWOPA’s Black Faith Leader Engagement initiative. “This open letter continues that tradition — reminding us that faith and democracy are intertwined, and that participation in civic life is part of our moral responsibility.”
Faith leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring every community — particularly those historically marginalized or underrepresented — has access to information, resources, and opportunities to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
“Prop 50 is a moral call to defend every voter’s dignity, especially those long pushed to the margins, so equality, justice, and freedom can truly belong to us all.” Said Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop; The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries & Senior Pastor, City of Refuge UCC. “We can not allow intimidation or discrimination to choose our leaders. We the people will have the final say.”
Dr. Charley Hames, Presiding Prelate, 9th Episcopal District of the CME Church also reminds us that, “Our collective communities carry collective power — power strong enough to transform both policies and hearts. Now is the time to show up, speak out, and vote. There is too much at stake to sit on the sidelines. Change won’t come by chance; it comes by participation.”
To the People of the Bay Area and Friends of Democracy,
We, the undersigned Black clergy and faith leaders, stand united in faith and purpose to affirm our support for Proposition 50 — the Election Rigging Response Act — on the November 4, 2025, Special Election Ballot.
We believe that faith and democracy are sacred trusts, both grounded in justice, love, and the dignity of every human being. When the voices of the vulnerable are silenced and power is manipulated to benefit the few, the moral covenant between people and government is broken.
Across this nation, we are witnessing intentional efforts to redraw congressional maps and restrict access to the ballot box — acts that threaten to dilute the voices of Black, Brown, and low-income communities, particularly in states like Texas. Proposition 50 is California’s moral and democratic response to these injustices. It protects fair representation and ensures that our votes — and the votes of our children — still count.
A Moral Call to Action
As faith leaders, we are called to do more than preach; we are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). That means ensuring that every person — especially those who are vulnerable, marginalized, impoverished, underserved, underrepresented, and living in underinvested communities and civic deserts — has the opportunity to participate fully in shaping the laws that govern their lives.
Supporting Proposition 50 is not a partisan act; it is a prophetic response to protect democracy itself. It is a stand for equity, justice, and the integrity of our electoral voice — because the future of democracy is in our hands.
Proposition 50 is a temporary but necessary measure to defend against partisan gerrymandering that undermines our national representation. After 2030, California will return to its independent redistricting commission, but this moment demands courageous action to safeguard our collective voice.
Our Charge to the Faith Community and Beyond
We call upon churches, ministries, and people of faith across California to rise together in civic love and moral responsibility. Your role is crucial, and your efforts are deeply appreciated.
Promote unity. Let us come together in love and understanding, recognizing that we are all neighbors, united by a shared responsibility to build a Congress that is equitable, just, and representative. Our collective action is the key to our success. Democracy is being tested in our generation. Our future depends on what we do now. As Black faith leaders, we know from history that progress is never guaranteed — it must be protected, nurtured, and renewed in every era.
Let us rise with courage and conviction, protecting the right to vote, empowering our people to act, and reaffirming that our faith compels us to defend the freedom and fairness of every election, starting with the critical and urgent vote during the special election on November 4! We urge you to vote yes on Prop 50!
May God strengthen our resolve, bless our efforts, and guide California toward justice, equity, and hope.
In Faith and Solidarity,
Bishop L. Lawrence Brandon – Senior Pastor, Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, Oakland, CA
Bishop Anthony Willis – Sr. Pastor, Lily of the Valley Christian Center
Bishop Keith Clark-Word Assembly AFC
Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop; The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries & Senior Pastor, City of Refuge UCC
Bishop Terrence L. Millican
Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. – Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Charles Dickerson -Senior Pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Bishop Dr. T. Marc Gandy
Rev. Dr. Harold R. Mayberry – Presiding Elder, Bay Valley District, AME Church
Bishop General Haymon – Sr. Pastor, God’s Church in Christ Jesus
Rev. Dr. Tecoy Porter – Senior Pastor, Genesis Church Sacramento
Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford – Senior Pastor, Historic Third Baptist Church of San Francisco
Rev. Dr Martha Taylor
Rev. Dereca Blackmon – Sr. Minister, East Bay Church of Religious Science
Rev. Dr. Rosalynn Brookins – Pastor, Parks Chapel AME Church
Dr. Reginald D. Walton – Senior Pastor, Amos Temple CME Church, Oakland
Pastor Michael W. Wallace – Sr. Pastor, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Demetries Edwards – Pastor, Twenty-third Avenue Church of God – Oakland
Pastor Ulysses Stephen King, Jr.
Henry Tillman Jr. – St. Paul CME Church
Rev. Dr. Marlyn Bussey
Rev. Cheryl Denise Ward – Cheryl Ward Ministries
Anthony Gilmore – Pastor, Bethel Community Church
Rev. Brian D. Hunter – Pastor, Berkeley Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Jeremy McCants – Senior Pastor, Imani Community Church – Oakland
Supt. Louis B. Spicer, Jr. – Ephesians of Richmond COGIC
Pastor Anita P. Latin, M. Th.- Visionary, Abounding Love Bible Ministry, Hercules
Pastor Michael McBride
Ramona Laughing Brook Webb, Glide Memorial Church Arts & Liturgies Ministries
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Miller
Rev. Floyd W. Trammell
Minister Tamara Steele – Evolve GWCC
Rev. Dr. Aisha K.L. Jordan, D. Div., Th.M – Founder, OnTheGo Ministries & Associate Minister Beth Eden Baptist Church – Oakland
Rev. Dwight Webster, PhD – Senior Pastor, Beth Eden Baptist Church – Oakland
Rev. Bro. H. Matthew Seawright – AME Church/Ministry N’ Motion
Pastor Michael Wallace
Pastor Rusty Watson
James Archie
Pastor VaShone Huff, M.Div. – City Center Church/Audience of One
Rev. Wanda Johnson
Marvin K. White – Minister of Celebration, Glide Memorial Church
Impact Oakland Now
Pastor Raymond Lankford
Rev. Dr. Jermaine J. Marshall –
Presiding Elder
Rev. Gaina Flores, St. Paul CME
Fresno, CA
Rev. Talia Bennett-Soloman – Taylor Chapel – Vallejo, CA
Rev. Harold Burton – St. Matthew Stockton, CA
Rev. Tauvia Harang – Lewis Memorial
San Jose, CA
Rev. Marvin Washington – Stewart Memorial CME
Rev. Korneilus Neal – St. Stephen
Fairfield, CA
Rev. Brenda Sharp – Century Chapel
Sacramento, CA
Rev. Willie McDaniel
Riley Chapel
Rev. Darlene Johnson
Curry Temple – Vacaville, CA
Dr. Jermaine Marshall – Emmanuel
Sacramento, CA
Rev. Reginald D. Walton, Presiding Elder
Karen Anderson, Practitioner
Karen Anderson, Practitioner
San Francisco District – Oakland, CA
Rev. Alton McGriff, Missionary Temple
San Francisco, CA
Rev. Dr. Jermaine J. Marshall
Davis Chapel – Richmond, CA
Rev. Victor Travis – Phillips Temple
Berkeley, CA
Rev. Reginald Thompson – Hays Chapel
Seaside, CA
Rev. Memphis Latchison, III
Cummings Park – Menlo Park, CA
Rev. Alton McGriff – Bell Chapel
San Francisco, CA
Rev. Cedric U Cain – St. James
Salinas, CA
Rev. Willie McDaniel, – St. Peter
El Cerrito, CA
Rev. Sheaneter Johnson-Bogan
St. Luke – Daly City, CA
Rev. Gino Garzarelli
United Smith Memorial – Hayward, CA
Rev. Virginia Arceneaux
Henry Memorial – Redding, CA
Rev. Joseph McDowell, First CME
Modesto, CA
Rev. David Goodson – Taylor Memorial
Oroville, CA
Join us tonight at 6:30 PM for a powerful virtual gathering of Black women leaders from across California as we unite to mobilize our communities and make our voices heard in this critical Special Election.
This isn’t politics as usual.
Donald Trump and Texas Republicans are making an unprecedented power grab to steal congressional seats and rig the 2026 election before voting even begins
Today, Black clergy and faith leaders across California released an Open Letter to the Community calling for unity, civic engagement, and moral leadership as the state approaches a pivotal election season.
