Karen Bass

Karen Bass (born October 3, 1953) is a California State Assembly Majority Leader from the 47th district. She was first elected in 2004.

A biographical note states that "Speaker Fabian Núñez selected Bass as the Majority Floor Leader for the California State Assembly during the 2007-2008 legislative session, making her the first African American and the first woman to hold this leadership position. During the 2005-2006 legislative session, Bass served as the Majority Whip. Assemblywoman Bass also serves as the chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care and as vice chair of the Legislative Black Caucus."

• Director, TransAfrica Forum

Background

A biographical note states that "Assemblywoman Bass was raised in the Venice/Fairfax neighborhood and graduated from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine – Physician Assistant Program, where she has been a faculty member for more than a decade. Bass worked as a Physician Assistant in the nation’s largest trauma center, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center. Bass founded the Community Coalition, a direct response to the devastation of the drug epidemic and “war on drugs” on South Los Angeles ... Majority Leader Bass served as the Chair of CA African Americans for Obama, which was a coalition of African American leaders from the political, business, religious and social justice leaders. She also served on Obama's national African American Leadership Council."

Contact Details

Website: http://www.karenbass.org/default.aspx?6613123472