Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights "is a strategy and action center working for justice, opportunity and peace in urban America. Based in Oakland, California, we promote positive alternatives to violence and incarceration through our four cutting-edge campaigns."

"When the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights started in 1996, we were small. Very small. In every conceivable way. We had one full-time staff person. We had one computer that co-founder Van Jones brought from his home. Our office was literally a closet, donated by the ever-generous Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights."


 * Jakada Imani - Executive Director

Campaigns

 * Books Not Bars addresses the ineffective and inhumane over-incarceration of youth. We're currently working to replace the neglectful and abusive Division of Juvenile Justice with a system of regional rehabilitative care centers.
 * Green-Collar Jobs Campaign addresses the lack of meaningful work opportunities for at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated people in society. The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign catalyzes workforce opportunities in the burgeoning “green” economy, creating dignified jobs for low-income families.
 * Soul of the City is our hands-on, hands-together campaign to create an Oakland that is safe, healthy, and balanced. We're working to transform Oakland into a socially just, spiritually connected, ecologically sustainable city with shared prosperity for all.
 * Heal the Streets is a new ten-month fellowship program that will train Oakland's young leaders (ages 15 - 18) to develop and advocate for policies that bring peace and hope to our streets.

Board of Directors

 * Glenn Backes - Public Policy Researcher and Consultant
 * Sandra Bass - Program Officer, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
 * Diana Frappier, esq. - Co-Founder, Ella Baker Center
 * Holly Minch - PR and Communications Consultant
 * Shiree Teng - Strategy & Evaluation Consultant

Contact

 * Web: http://ellabakercenter.org

Related SourceWatch

 * Robin Templeton
 * Marianne Manilov - former director
 * Sarah Shanley Hope
 * Raquel Lavina - former national program director