Joy Atkinson, a respected civic leader and tireless advocate for Black women in public policy and political leadership, has died. A founding member and longtime consulting executive director of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute, Atkinson spent more than 30 years advancing leadership development, policy training, and civic engagement for women across Los Angeles. Her career included service with former California Assemblymember Gwen Moore and appointments to several city commissions. Remembered as a mentor and strategist, Atkinson’s legacy lives on through the many women she helped prepare for public service, nonprofit leadership, and community advocacy.