Ella Baker Center

Help us build a world where everyone can love

Help us build a world where everyone can heal

Help us build a world where everyone can lead

Help us build a world where everyone can make change

Help us build a world where everyone can thrive

Stop the War on Drugs

Imprisoning people for drug possession is an expensive and proven failure. California has a historic chance to turn the tide on the failed War on Drugs.

Urge the State Senate to end this War

Act Now

Door Knock for an Equitable Oakland

Come out to talk to voters and make a difference.

We need your help spreading the word about progressive revenue creating solutions that will provide more funding for schools, health clinics, libraries and roads.

Stand with Ten for Ten

Thanks to Cap and Trade, polluters will finally have to pay for their pollution. Cap and Trade is expected to generate billions of dollars within the next few years.

We need you to Stand with Ten for Ten now because 10% of Cap and Trade revenue needs to help the 10% most disadvantaged communities.

Sign Now

Defend Democracy. Defend Ranked Choice Voting

Ranked Choice Voting is good for democracy in Oakland. It cuts down the money Oakland has to spend on elections while also decreasing the impact of big money on our elections.

But now it's under attack. Act now to stand strong for democracy and stand strong for Ranked Choice Voting.

Act Now

Throw Down for the Town

Solving the challenges before us starts in transforming our own neighborhoods.

Join us on July 28th, 2012 for our Second Annual Throw Down for the Town: The Oakland Service Festival.

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What's Happening

June 2012 Election Guide

posted on MAY 18, 2012 by Meredith Fenton | 0 comments

Our guide to the CA ballot measures and Alameda County measures for the June 5th election.

Justice for Alan Blueford

posted on MAY 15, 2012 by Joshua Bloom | 2 comments

Until May 6th, Alan Blueford was a Skyline High School senior preparing for graduation. Now his family is mourning his death at the hands of the Oakland Police Department. Read a statement about the incident from the Bluefords.

An Attack on Ranked Choice Voting is an Attack on Democracy

posted on MAY 02, 2012 by Jakada Imani and Esperanza Tervalon-Daumont | 1 comment

Ranked Choice Voting is good for democracy in Oakland. So why is City Council considering putting a ballot initiative to repeal RCV?

I March For...

posted on APRIL 30, 2012 by Jakada Imani | 1 comment

Tomorrow, I will join my team from the Ella Baker Center and thousands of people in the streets for the May Day March for Dignity and Resistance.

A Mother's Nightmare- Act Now for SB 1363

posted on APRIL 18, 2012 by Lina Roldan | 4 comments

Families for Books Not Bars member, Lina, needs your help to end the abusive use of solitary confinement against Californian youth.

Van Jones- New Book and Exclusive Interview

posted on APRIL 04, 2012 by Meredith Fenton | 1 comment

We are excited to share the news of the release of Rebuild the Dream, the new book from Ella Baker Center co-founder Van Jones. We talked with Van about the book and his current work to restore the movement for hope and change.

Heist: Who Stole the American Dream? Screening and Panel

posted on MARCH 29, 2012 by Meredith Fenton | 0 comments

Join the Ella Baker Center and the Producers of Heist for the Oakland premiere of this explosive new documentary. Followed by a panel moderated by Jakada Imani and featuring local activists, the film's director, and a UC Berkeley Economist.

From Millionaires Tax to the 1% Tax

posted on MARCH 26, 2012 by Alicia Cabellero-Christenson | 2 comments

Over the last month and a half, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and the Millionaires Tax Coalition tirelessly collected signatures to qualify the Millionaires Tax initiative for the November 2012 ballot. We and our partners supported this initiative because it was the most progressive tax proposal that wouldn’t cost a single penny for anyone making less than $1 million per year.

Heal the Streets- Our Focus in 2012

posted on MARCH 09, 2012 by Joshua Bloom | 0 comments

This year’s Heal The Streets cohort continues to put solutions for violence in the hands of the young people in Oakland. Each year the fellows conduct a Participatory Action Research project.