California State Senator

Co-Founder, Los Angeles Black Worker Center

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a daughter of a single mother who is a U.S. veteran and registered. Since being elected to the California State Senate, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas has championed landmark legislation to raise labor standards, expand access to justice for workers, and ensure public investments supporting equitable economic opportunities. As Chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, she has led efforts to strengthen worker protections across the state. She fought to ensure workers can report wage theft or pay discrimination without fear of retaliation (SB 497, 2023), and she led legislation to protect displaced retail workers by requiring advance notice and transfer opportunities when large chain stores close (SB 627, 2023). She co-led efforts to secure community benefits in major infrastructure projects, helping to open union career pathways for historically excluded workers (SB 150, 2023). She also advanced SB 572 (2024), which authorizes the sale of surplus state property in South Los Angeles to support affordable and mixed-use housing development, prioritizing community land trusts, and equitable local input.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas’ legislative priorities include enforcing worker rights, expanding collective bargaining, creating good union jobs, and strengthening social safety net programs that uplift working families. She is also committed to progressive justice reforms, a just transition to a green economy, and achieving universal healthcare for all Californians. A progressive leader, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas identifies as a Working Families Democrat.

In addition to serving as Chair of the Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas is a standing member of the Committees on Budget and Fiscal Review, Budget Subcommittee No. 4, Business, Professions and Economic Development, and Governmental Organization, as well as the Joint Committee on the Arts and the Joint Rules Committee.

She also serves on the California Workforce Development Board and the State Public Works Board, and she is a member of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events, which focuses on the Olympics and World Cup Soccer.

Director of Movement Solidarity, Groundswell Fund

Co-Founder, Los Angeles Black Worker Center

Lanita Morris is a seasoned labor organizer and capacity builder with a deep commitment to racial and economic justice.

As the Director of Movement Solidarity, at the Groundswell Fund, leading grantmaking and capacity building, she plays a pivotal role in strengthening grassroots organizations that are led by women of color and transgender people of color.

Her work focuses on enhancing the sustainability and impact of these organizations through strategic support and resources.

Prior to her current role, Lanita was instrumental in co-founding the Los Angeles Black Worker Center (LABWC), the first of its kind in California.

As the Program Director, she led initiatives aimed at increasing access to quality jobs, combating workplace discrimination, and advocating for equitable employment practices for Black workers in Los Angeles.

Her leadership contributed to significant policy wins, including agreements that increased Black employment on major infrastructure projects.

Vice President, SEIU 721

Simboa Wright was destined become a champion of working people since his birth at MLK Jr. Hospital in the City of Compton. Wright currently serves as the Vice President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, which at 100,000 members and growing is the largest public sector union in the country. Wright is quick to point out that his core values drive his efforts to fight for racial and economic justice. As SEIU Local 721 Vice President, Wright has led the charge on the establishment of the groundbreaking City of Los Angeles Targeted Local Hire program and the union’s backing of the 1,000 Strong program, which open doors for underserved groups to access good jobs and higher education. He has spent more than 20 years as a civil servant with the City of

Los Angeles and served on the Board of the LA Conservation Corps, where he first got involved with public service as a teen. Whatever the cause, be it fighting for livable wages or now serving on the California State Racial Equity Commission, if it involves uplifting and improving the lives of Californians, Wright is sure to be front and center.

Member Honoree, Los Angeles Black Worker Center

Neighorhood Canvasser, Los Angeles Black Worker Center

Bobby Sampson is a dedicated Neighborhood Canvasser for the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, playing a pivotal role in engaging community members around LABWC’s campaigns and policy initiatives. Through grassroots outreach, Bobby raises awareness, mobilizes support, and helps bring LABWC’s mission into neighborhoods across Los Angeles. He has been integral to spreading the message of equity, job access, and workplace justice.

Member Honoree, Los Angeles Black Worker Center

Theodore “Ted” Booker serves as the Lead Consultant for Thirdeye Strategic Alliance, LLC which provides strategic planning, program/project development, program management, program evaluation, grant writing and event planning services. Ted is a consummate professional that believes in superb customer services which translates to client-centered and culturally relevant services that allow individuals to be seen and heard. He has more than 30 years of administrative, program development/management, program evaluation, housing navigation, career coaching/job development, event planning, and strategic planning experience in social services and construction industries. In social services, he has worked in the capacity of Program Director, Job Developer, Program Manager and Strategic Planner in housing, employment training, behavioral health, re-entry, and substance abuse recovery programming. In the construction industry, he has worked in the capacity of Placement Officer on the Expo Light Rail Project, Certified Payroll Analyst and Contract Administrator. Thirty of those years have been delivering services in Service Planning Area 6 (SPA-6). Mr. Booker served on the original SPA Los Angeles County Service Planning Area Council participating in community organizing and consensus building activities. Mr. Booker has worked with several target populations e.g., adult males, justice-involved youth and adults, families, and older adults 55 and older. Mr. Booker has completed a BA degree in Sociology from Cal-State Los Angeles, and an Associates of Arts in Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences from Los Angeles City College.