To close the Black student achievement gap Newsom talked about plans to build a diverse teaching workforce of stable prepared professional teachers including more teachers that look like their students. “That’s incredibly important as related particularly to African American achievement.”
In January, members of the California Board of Equalization (BOE) selected Malia M. Cohen, former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, to chair the 140-year-old state agency.
Aligned with the new governor of the state of California’s vision, two African Americans who were recently sworn-in to their elected seats both said they are also committed to making bold and progressive changes.
Board of Equalization (BOE) Members Ted Gaines (1st District), Malia Cohen (2nd District), Antonio Vazquez (3rd district), and Mike Schaefer (4th District) were inaugurated on January 7, 2018, at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building in Sacramento. Governor Gavin Newsom administered the oath of office to the four statewide constitutional officers, who were elected in November 2018. Member Cohen is the first African American woman and Member Vazquez is the first Latino to be elected to the BOE since its inception.