2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Outgoing Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steven Bradford

Edward Henderson | California Black MediaWhen Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) was sworn into the California Legislature in 2009 as an Assemblymember, he brought with him a long and faceted record of accomplishments in both the private and public sectors.From his experiences as a Fortune 500 corporate executive at IBM and Southern California Edison to earning his chops as the first Black Gardena City Councilmember, Bradford excelled in various roles before being elected State Senator in 2016.In the State Senate, Bradford secured millions of dollars to support projects, programs, and institutions in his district, including Compton Community College and Watts Rising, a collaborative that advocates for affordable housing. Bradford, who is termed out next year, is also a champion of workforce development and environmental initiatives.Earlier this year, he announced that he is running for Lieutenant Governor.Bradford, who served as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) until this month, says he continues to pursue and enact policies geared toward equity and fairness.California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Bradford recently. He reflected on his current goals, his many accomplishments, disappointments, and lessons learned over the course of the last year.Responses have been edited for clarity and length.Looking back at 2024,...