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February 16, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
APPLAUDS HISTORIC 2026 GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE CENTERING
BLACK COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIC EQUITY
Sacramento, CA – February 12, 2026 — The California African American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) commends the Black Action Alliance for convening what is being recognized as a historic milestone in California civic engagement — the first statewide televised gubernatorial debate of the 2026 election cycle intentionally centered on the voices, priorities, and policy concerns of Black Californians and historically underserved communities.
Held at the Ruth Williams Memorial Bayview Opera House and broadcast statewide through KTVU FOX 2, KTTV FOX 11, and FOX Local, the debate elevated issues directly impacting Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and economically marginalized Californians.
As a statewide advocate for Black business development and economic equity, CAACC recognizes the significance of a debate format that prioritized substance over spectacle and required candidates to respond to policy questions grounded in community realities.
“This debate represented more than a campaign event — it was an accountability forum,” said Derek Smith, CAACC Board Member. “For Black business owners across California, access to capital, equitable contracting, workforce development, and economic mobility are not abstract talking points. They are daily realities. This forum gave candidates the opportunity to speak directly to those concerns in a serious and measurable way.”
Throughout the debate, candidates addressed topics including reparations, healthcare access, educational equity, housing stability, public safety accountability, and economic empowerment — issues that directly influence the health and sustainability of Black-owned enterprises statewide.
From CAACC’s perspective, the forum's economic implications were particularly significant. Policy decisions related to infrastructure investment, procurement access, the energy transition, workforce pipelines, and small-business financing will shape the trajectory of Black businesses in California for years to come.
“The Chamber believes that economic justice is inseparable from civic engagement,” Smith added. “When Black communities help shape the political agenda, the resulting policies are stronger, more inclusive, and more reflective of California’s economic diversity.”
Broadcast reports indicate the debate reached audiences across Northern and Southern California, with cumulative impressions projected to exceed one million viewers across television, streaming, and digital platforms. The engagement extended beyond the live broadcast, with ongoing community participation through resource sharing, surveys, and continued dialogue.
CAACC leadership views the debate as part of a broader movement toward institutional accountability and community-driven governance.
“Black-owned businesses are job creators, tax contributors, and economic anchors in communities throughout this state,” said Ahmad Holmes, CAACC President. “We expect gubernatorial candidates to present clear plans that expand access to capital, strengthen public-private partnerships, and remove systemic barriers that limit growth.”
The California African American Chamber of Commerce remains committed to ensuring that the voices of Black entrepreneurs and business leaders remain central to statewide policy discussions throughout the 2026 election cycle.
As California approaches the primary election, CAACC encourages informed civic participation and sustained dialogue on economic equity, business opportunity, and community empowerment.
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About the California African American Chamber of Commerce
As California’s largest statewide Black chamber organization, the California African American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) is committed to driving economic opportunity and wealth creation for African American businesses.
We harness the collective strength of our statewide network of member organizations to enhance fiscal health, support entrepreneurial growth, and empower business success.
Through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we promote equitable public policies that expand access and reshape the landscape of economic opportunities for all communities across California. Learn more at calaacc.org
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