Media & Impact

Coalition Accomplishments

The Unity Coalition:

  1. Convinced a California legislator that it was punitive to prohibit those with felony convictions from obtaining an occupational license. We gave him a bill we helped draft to introduce. We lobbied lawmakers and the Governor to obtain their support, and the bill was signed into law at the end of 2018, thereby allowing people with felony convictions to obtain licenses to work in more than 200 occupations.

  2. Lobbied successfully in the California Legislature to make it easier for those charged with both misdemeanors and felonies to be released from jail pending trial so that lack of funds is not a reason to be kept in jail pre-trial. 

  3. Lobbied successfully in the California Legislature to create compassionate release for incarcerated people who are terminally ill.  The Unity Coalition also lobbied successfully in the California Legislature for the expansion of compassionate care to incarcerated people with permanent medical conditions. We lobbied to expand the release of elderly incarcerated people, but the State lacked facilities where they could be sent.

  4. Worked with Dr. Michele DiTomas of the Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (“DCRC”) to find facilities where incarcerated people released from prison funder compassionate release could be sent. We even drove her to a facility that was available north of Sacramento and tried to negotiate terms for the State to lease the facility.  

  5. Successfully lobbied the State Legislature to support the expansion of alternative courts and lobbied San Francisco Supervisor to expand the number of courts available. The person in charge of these alternative courts and how they operate is a long-term member of the Unity Coalition Steering Committee. 

  6. Lobbied the Governor’s staff to release incarcerated people during Covid to get them safely away from the guards. The Governor released over 35,000 incarcerated people (about 25%) with minimal crimes being convicted by those people. We publicized these facts and argued for further releases and shutting down of prisons. The Governor shut down three prisons.

  7. Successfully Lobbied for New Affordable Housing Development in Rockridge, Oakland. After 50 years without new development, we successfully lobbied for the construction of affordable housing in Rockridge, Oakland. This marks a historic milestone in expanding equitable housing opportunities in a high-demand area, ensuring diverse communities can access quality living spaces in a previously exclusive market. Our advocacy efforts have played a crucial role in breaking barriers and bringing much-needed affordable housing to this neighborhood.

  8. Was trained to help incarcerated people prepare for parole hearings. We have then advised incarcerated people all about the hearing, how best to prepare for it, and what to say at the hearing. 

  9. Supported a remarkable nonprofit (Life Support Alliance) in many ways and helped them work with lifers to help prepare those lifers for their parole hearings and for being released from prison in California. 

  10. Worked with an influential member of Congress to improve federal prisons by introducing him to nonprofits that could expand technology usage in all federal prisons and expand educational offerings online. We have reported to this member of Congress about the horrible conditions in a number of federal prisons. One of those prisons ended up being shut down.

  11. Met a number of times with officers of the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation to inform them of misdeeds and violations of the law that were going on inside California prisons. These meetings and communications resulted in changes being made, including a severe reduction in the use of solitary confinement in California. 

  12. Sent letters to officials of the Division of Adult Parole Operations (“DAPO”) asking them to change a number of rules to make it easier for those coming before the Parole Board to get a fairer hearing and a grant of parole. DAPO, in fact, made some of the changes we and some of our allies made. 

  13. And their allies had several meetings with DCRC leaders in which we argued that an entirely new and more comprehensive reentry process should be created. We asked that the reentry process begin when a person first entered a California prison.  Our many ideas were considered and continue to be considered in California and other enlightened states. 

  14. Demanded that prison guards in California get vaccinated, wear masks, and take precautions to safeguard incarcerated people. The prison guard union refused and incarcerated people began getting Covid and dying. Unity Coalition members undertook a drive to get the Governor to order that guards take the necessary steps to protect residents. The Governor refused. We kept the pressure on the Governor, but until the matter was litigated, the guards refused to change their position.

  15. Was in involved in the Official State Apology for Slavery and Discrimination. In September 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring California to issue a formal apology for its role in perpetuating slavery and systemic racism. The law mandates the display of a plaque in the State Capitol acknowledging these harms and committing to prevent their recurrence.

  16. Supported AB 1929—Addressing Racial Disparities in Career Technical Education: Introduced by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor and signed into law in August 2024, Assembly Bill 1929 seeks to rectify racial disparities within career technical education programs. It requires local educational agencies receiving state grants and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to disaggregate program and performance data by race and gender to ensure equitable outcomes.

  17. Supported Budget Allocation for Reparations Initiatives. In July 2024, Governor Newsom approved a state budget that includes up to $12 million dedicated to reparations-related legislation. This funding supports various initiatives the state’s Reparations Task Force recommends, including efforts to improve educational outcomes and address systemic disparities affecting Black Californians.

 

Teach-in on Reparations for African-Americans in San Francisco and California

 

News & Updates

A growing list of of the companies committed to DEI initiatives:

*This list will be updated and checked for accuracy frequently.

A growing list of the companies that have discontinued DEI initiatives:

*This list will be updated and checked for accuracy frequently.