The Policy, Research, and Practice Initiative (PRPI) understands black voters matter.

PRPI is a Los Angeles-based think tank for African Americans that distributes critical findings on how pressing state and local public policy considerations impact African American Californians. On May 18, 2018, PRPI released its California African American Policy Priorities Survey (CAAPPS) results. The survey, which was conducted between April 28 and May 14, collected the opinions of Californian black voters on the upcoming primary election on June 5, 2018, as well as issues that are of utmost concern to them.

"The electoral power of the black voter is what makes CAAPPS 2018, timely, relevant and worthy of attention," said Shakari Byerly, managing director of EVITARUS, an LA-based public opinion research firm.

The purpose of the report is to highlight how black voters currently view statewide primary candidates and to also expose the issues most important to black voters. "This could be a significant Wakanda moment in statewide politics," said PRPI's director, Sebastian Ridley Thomas, a black millennial and California politician.

Most black voters are leaning toward Democratic nominees in the race: current California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom for California's next governor and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who was endorsed by our President Barack Obama in early May.

Black voters throughout California were surveyed: 41 percent by telephone, 59 percent online, which included 621 likely June primary voters and 729 (current) unlikely voters. Results were weighted to match the age, partisanship, gender and geographic location of registered black voters. 

So what is important to black voters? The survey says among the highest policy priorities are public education, elimination of racial profiling,  law enforcement accountability, more affordable housing, and fighting discrimination and institutional racism. The survey reveals that 4-in-5 black voters (78 percent) identify public education as the highest priority for soon-to-be elected officials to address. Interestingly, the survey also shows black voters have not yet decided on the best candidate for superintendent of California public schools.

Racial profiling, law enforcement accountability, institutional racism — can you spot the trend? 

The CAAPPS has provided a space for black voters in California with a solid, seemingly unified voice, amid the socio-political climate in which we live that continuously tries to silence black voices.

Read more about California's upcoming primary election here.