01/19/2026
The Board of Directors and the more than 400 alumnae of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute mourn the passing of one of our founders, our longtime Executive Director, and our guiding force, Joy P. Atkinson.
Since the inception of LAAAWPPI, Joy served not only as a founder and executive leader, but as its heart, its conscience, and its architect. What began as a political action committee to support Black women running for office quickly evolved under her leadership into a nationally respected training ground for leadership, governance, and public service. Joy recognized early what others overlooked. Support alone was not enough. Black women needed preparation, strategy, confidence, and community to win and to lead.
Over more than two decades, spanning 22 graduating classes, Joy personally shaped the political and civic landscape of Los Angeles and beyond. LAAAWPPI graduates include a sitting United States Congresswoman, a California State Assemblymember, city councilmembers, mayors, school board members, commissioners, and countless leaders across government, nonprofit, labor, philanthropy, corporate, and civic institutions. Her influence also extended into less visible but equally critical spaces, inspiring and mentoring Black women in fields such as political data analysis and public safety research, where representation has historically been rare.
Joy’s reach was immeasurable because her work was deeply personal. She was a mentor, a strategist, a truth teller, and a confidant to the women she helped place into office and positions of leadership. She was trusted by elected leaders at the highest levels of city and county government, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. When Joy called, people answered. Not out of obligation, but out of respect. She had an unparalleled ability to convene, to challenge, and to move people toward action rooted in purpose.
At the time of her passing, Joy continued her public service as a sitting Los Angeles City Commissioner, reflecting her enduring commitment to civic leadership and community stewardship.
Most importantly, Joy believed fiercely in Black women. She saw their potential before they saw it themselves. She demanded excellence while offering grace. She taught generations of women not only how to run campaigns or govern institutions, but how to lead with integrity, courage, and clarity.
While we grieve her passing, we also honor a legacy that will endure for generations. Joy P. Atkinson lives on in every woman she trained, every barrier she helped dismantle, and every community strengthened by her vision.
On behalf of the Board and Alumnae of LAAAWPPI, we extend our deepest condolences to Joy’s family, loved ones, and all who were touched by her extraordinary life and work. We remain committed to carrying forward her mission with the same conviction, discipline, and love that defined her leadership.
Joy P. Atkinson was not simply the leader of an institution.
She was an institution.
And her legacy will continue to lead.
