By Clare Michal
Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey’s fourth district was host to the Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) 37th annual statewide convention in San Diego on October 16th. Team Harkey is actively connected with our local BAPAC chapter and appreciated the opportunity to be on hand to support BAPAC’s efforts statewide to grow the number of African American owned businesses.
Diane was honored for the opportunity to welcome the hundreds of BAPAC attendees, elected officials and community leaders from across California. The theme of this year’s convention was “If you build it, they will come” and BAPAC members gathered to discuss and strategize their mission for 2016 as well as recognize community builders in California and across the nation.
Diane shared the stage for this special evening with California Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, California Controller Betty Yee, County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, San Diego City Councilmember Myrtle Cole, and many other local leaders at their Hall of Fame Gala. The keynote address was delivered by Danny Glover.
Diane had the pleasure of congratulating the 2015 BAPAC Hall of Fame inductees which included civil rights leader Kathleen Harmon, former San Diego City Councilmember Leon Williams, U.S. Senator Barbra Boxer, and Rev. George Walker Smith. Congratulations to all the honorees and to BAPAC for 37 years of working to serve communities across California.
