Podcast
Introducing the California Legislative Black Staff Association
Alchemy Graham and Cassidy Denny of the California Legislative Black Staff AssociationCapitol Weekly Podcast: April saw the introduction of a new organization devoted to supporting and mentoring Black professionals in the Capitol community: the California Legislative Black Staff Association. CLBSA was formed out of the merger of the California Capitol Black Staff Association and the Black Legislative and Capitol Association and will continue the work of recruiting and retaining Black staff throughout the Capitol community.
Our guests this episode are newly-elected Board Chair Alchemy Graham and Vice Chair Cassidy Denny. Graham is a lobbyist with Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange; Denny works in the office of Senator Nancy Skinner. We asked them about their goals for the Association, why a Black Staff Association is needed, and about their own paths to working in the capitol.
Plus – Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?
Episode Notes
:36 Why was CLBSA formed?
1:51 Is this related to the push for unionization?
2:59 Membership of CLBSA
5:07 The merger of the California Capitol Black Staff Association and the Black Legislative and Capitol Association
7:38 What has the response in the Capitol been like?
10:16 Are there any legislative goals for the Association?
13:16 How did you each come to work in the Capitol?
17:23 Is the reality of the Capitol different from your expectations?
21:33 The distinct challenges of being a Black professional in the Capitol
28:25 #WWCA
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