A description of your site http://www.ellabakercenter.org/ Your copyright information Ella Baker Center and our partners have formed a broad coalition to oppose the Runner Initiative. At a time when California is cutting basic services like healthcare and schools, California State Senator George Runner has introduced a ballot initiative that would pour billions into into failed policing and prison policies. In early May, we held a series of actions in LA, Fresno and Sacramento to launch our campaign to defeat this measure. Watch the coverage and get involved! Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT Thousands of Oaklanders came out to the Coliseum to spread our Silence The Violence message. The night kicked off with a hugely successful Tailgate BBQ / Job & Resource Fair, attended by Mayor Dellums, Oakland music legend Too Short and A's mascot Thumper the Elephant. We then observed a moment of silence before the A's took on the Tampa Bay Rays. Though we weren't able to cheer the A's to victory, Oakland stood united in making a call for peace on our streets. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT After a thorough competitive process, the City of Oakland awarded Laney College, Cypress Mandela, and Growth Sector the contract to run the Oakland Green Jobs Corps. The comprehensive 8-month program will include job readiness training, classroom instruction, and on-the-job experience for about 40 Oakland residents. We're excited to see the green-collar jobs movement taking root in Oakland! And don't worry: we'll be throwing a celebration party when the program starts this fall. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT With the recent addition of the California Professional Firefighters, the California Federation of Teachers, and Minorities in Law Enforcement, the momentum to defeat Prop. 6 is growing. Proposition 6 proposes to lock-in $1 BILLION annually for failed, "get-tough" policies, plus more for start-up and city and county costs. Because it proposes no new sources of revenue, this money can only come from the budgets of schools, health care and other critical needs. By draining our communities of much-needed resources, Prop 6 will actually make our neighborhoods and streets less safe. Visit VoteNoProp6.com to learn more and get involved. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT Women are a key part of the climate change solution. But around the world, their voices are being ignored. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:38:22 EDT Our Executive Director, Mr. Jakada Imani, was a featured guest on Black Renaissance discussing the role of the Ella Baker Center in helping to bring about change and opportunity to our world. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT Silence The Violence Day 2008 featured 27 vigils around the Bay Area and beyond, with the Ella Baker Center hosting a vigil at Defremery Park. Nearly 2000 people came out to call for an end to the senseless violence. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT The Coalition to Defeat the Runner Initiative officially launched with a rally in Sacramento. Respected elected officials, clergy and community leaders spoke out in opposition to the initiative. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT Thank you, Ella, Martin, Malcolm, Mom, Dad, and the many others who struggled -- and congratulations on work well done. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:08:48 EDT MacMall speaks up for peace. We need to stop all the murders and live. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT Talib Kweli raises the call to Silence the Violence. We have more similarities than differences, and we need to stay focused on that. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and California NAACP President Alice Huffman, among many others, describe why the Runner Initiative is bad for California and announce the formation of a coalition to defeat it. Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT From April 4 - 6, 2008 something beautiful happened in Memphis. More than 1,100 activists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers converged on the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination to declare the Dream Reborn and witnessed the blossoming of a new movement. On June 4, 2008, something beautiful happened in Oakland. More than 300 people filled the Oakland Museum of California with visions of a green economic future that provides opportunities for all. We're building on the energy and excitement from Memphis and are channeling it into our green-collar jobs work here in California! Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT By a 77-0 margin, the California Assembly sent the Family Communication Act to the Governor's desk. Sponsored by State Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and supported by Books Not Bars, the Family Communication and Rehabilitation Act (SB 1250) would make it cheaper and easier for family members to talk and write to their loved ones who are locked up in state youth prisons, regardless of economic or language barriers. In this time of budget crisis, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have signaled that the Family Communication Act is not only strong policy, but also smart financing. Stay tuned: when the budget impasse is finally over, we expect Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign it into law. Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT The shift is happening. It is the change we are working for. Mon, 19 May 2008 18:29:49 EDT The NYPD officers that killed Sean Bell get off with just a shrug and an "oops." Thu, 15 May 2008 16:39:41 EDT We declared the Dream ... Reborn. And this time, we declared that the Dream will uplift the people AND the planet. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:54:10 EDT Allen Feaster tells the story of his son's suicide in the California Youth Authority to the Little Hoover Commission's hearing on the state of juvenile justice in California. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT Susan Brown tells her godson's story to the Little Hoover Commission's hearing on juvenile justice Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT KTVU Channel 2 ran an excellent segment on our Emergency Vigil on February 15, 2008, broadcasting our message of hope and peace to the whole Bay Area. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST A new film on think.mtv.com, MTV's progressive-oriented video community, features Oakland's Green Jobs Corps and our Green-Collar Jobs Campaign. The film's creator, Carl Brown, represents the Bay Area in a competition to get the spots aired on MTV's broadcast channels. Watch as Ella Baker Center staff explain how green-collar jobs can help both the people and the planet, then visit MTV's site and leave your comment to show support for this important issue! Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST The green-collar jobs solution has become a core part of the presidential debate. Whenever candidates talk about solutions to global warming, they talk about green-growth and job creation. In fact, Oakland's Green Jobs Corps funding and the Richmond training program were explicitly cited in a recent Democratic primary debate. KPIX covers this statement and explores how it plays out in the political spectrum. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST Ella Baker Center is proud to introduce Kijani Tafari, our new Bay Area PoliceWatch director. We're in the process of re-visioning and relaunching this important campaign, and we'd love to get your feedback in the process. Take a moment to meet Kijani and learn about our ideas for the future -- and be sure to share your own thoughts and ideas with us. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST In a five day period in early February, 13 shootings claimed eight lives, bringing the homicide rate to 21 deaths in the first 42 days of 2008. In response, Silence the Violence held an emergency vigil to bring a message of hope and peace to the streets of Oakland. Almost 200 people turned out to show their concern, sadness and resolve to end the violence. KTVU Channel 2 News ran a segment that evening and, a week later, the Oakland Tribune printed our op-ed promoting solutions to violence. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST Oakland's Green-Collar Jobs funding and the Richmond training program explicitly surfaced in the Democratic primary debates. KPIX covers this, with interviews from Nwamaka Agbo and Aaron Lehmer. (Jan 2008) Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST Ella Baker Center turns into a music production studio as youth from across the East Bay come together to make music with a message: Silence the Violence. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST Bay Area hip hop station 106 KMEL interviews Silence the Violence's Nicole Lee, local rap artist Trinidad, and Grind and Glory produce Keith Morikawa on the morning of the world premiere of Grind and Glory. The film follows five young rappers as they follow the elusive dream of becoming a hip hop star. Deeply inspiring, the film explores the lives of these young hip hop hopefuls as they work to change their circumstances and bring change to their communities. Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Director Ian Kim explains the campaign on KPIX CBS5 news. Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST Ella Baker Center and Solar Richmond present green-collar job training in action as the Richmond Build and GRID Alternatives do a solar installation on an elderly homeowner's house. Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and Bay Area hyphy artist Mistah F.A.B. join forces to call for peace on the streets of Oakland. Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and Oakland A's Manager Bob Geren team up with Ella Baker Center to Silence the Violence. Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT The U.S. House of Representatives took a historic leap forward in the fight against poverty AND global warming pollution. As part of its broader “energy package,” the House included the groundbreaking Green Jobs Act of 2007, authorizing $125 million annually for “green-collar” job training. Those funds would prepare more than 30,000 people a year for jobs in key trades, such as installing solar panels, weatherizing buildings, and maintaining wind farms. Sat, 04 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT The Ella Baker Center is searching for a nonprofit professional to manage the finances and operations of the agency. We're looking for someone who can create organizational infrastructure and support the expansion and development of a ten-year-old organization. Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:00:00 EDT On June 12, we held a rally for the Oakland Green Jobs Corps. We demanded that Oakland City Council provide seed money for a training program to provide green pathways out of poverty. Thanks to YourTV 20. Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT As part of the 2007 Silence the Violence Day commemorations, 106 KMEL, the Bay Area's premier hiphop station, aired a special Silence the Violence Day morning show. At 9:00am they silenced the music and KMEL's morning DJ Chuy Gomez spoke with Nicole Lee of the Ella Baker Center and Rudy Corpus of United Playaz. They spoke out about the root causes of violence in our communities and called on everyone to do their part to silence the violence.A special thanks to 106 KMEL for their support. Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is leading the charge for a national "green-collar" job training program. On May 22nd, we took the next step in pushing for legislation that would provide federal funding for such a program. Tue, 22 May 2007 12:00:00 EDT As mothers joined Books Not Bars in demanding better access to their incarcerated children, the TV cameras were rolling. Watch the KCRA3 Sacramento coverage of the event. Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT As mothers joined Books Not Bars in demanding better access to their incarcerated children, the TV cameras were rolling. Watch the Univision in Sacramento coverage of the event. (Note: this coverage is in Spanish with no subtitles) Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT Our Mother's Morning/Mothers Mourning event attracted a lot of media attention. From around the Bay Area, news outlets helped mothers remember their lost loved ones. Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT CBS5 and CBS13 report on the changes that are underway in California's youth prison system: Sally Lieber and Books Not Bars are working to shut it down and transition to county-run restorative facilities. Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT Britt Bravo interviews Van Jones for the Big Vision Podcast (www.bigvisionpodcast.libsyn.com). Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT Assemblywoman Sally Lieber talks on Mornings on 2 about her bill that would close the Division of Juvenile Justice, formerly CYA. She explains what it would take to completely shut down the abusive and corrupt system. Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT Van Jones speaks about the need for a "Clean Energy Jobs Bill" at Speaker Nancy Pelosi's press conference on February 21, 2007. Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST A bill introduced by Assemblyman Curren Price would involve families, parents and clergy in youth rehabilitation. Experts agree this is a critical step in effective rehabilitation for young people in the juvenile justice system. Books Not Bars is co-sponsoring the bill. Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:00:00 EST Our campaign to shrink (and ultimately close) the youth prison system is working: for the first time in 4 years, California will shut down two youth prisons! In early 2008, the Division of Juvenile Justice announced that El Paso de Robles and Dewitt Nelson Youth Correctional Facilities must close by July 31st. Books Not Bars will work to ensure that the transition is done right and youth are moved closer to their families. Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:00:00 EST Hanifah Walidah's stand-out track from 2001's Shame the Devil: Hip-Hop Tells the Truth About the Prison Industrial Complex, the benefit CD for Books Not Bars' Stop the Super-Jail Campaign. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST This is the first single from the upcoming Silence the Violence compilation CD. Featuring Goapele, Mistah FAB, Mac Mall, B-Legit and Clyde Carson. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST Get a taste of Ella Baker Center's 2005 compilation CD to benefit survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent governmental neglect. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST A short snippet of an upcoming song recorded at the all-weekend Turf Unity Music Production Training that Silence the VIolence held in April 2007. Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST In June 2005 Ella Baker Center hosted the "Social Equity Track" at UN World Environment Day. This short film captures three critical days for the environmental movement. (June 2005) Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST News coverage of our rally in support of oil independence in Oakland, and important step towards the "green collar jobs" vision of our Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Initiative. (October 2006) Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST Bay Area PoliceWatch responds to the San Francisco Police Departments notorious racist video scandal. (December 2005) Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST A groundbreaking documentary produced with our partner, WITNESS, "System Failure" exposes the horrific conditions and human rights violations in California's abusive youth prisons. (Full version) Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST A groundbreaking documentary produced with our partner, WITNESS, "System Failure" exposes the horrific conditions and human rights violations in California's abusive youth prisons. (Condensed version) Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST News coverage of CYA guards beating two youth. As a fight between guards and youth comes into view of surveillance cameras, CYA guards kick and hit two youth as they lie face down on the floor. Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST "When we started the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, NOBODY thought we were going to make it." See the story of our first ten years, told by those who were there. Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST Free Speech TV highlights the collaboration between Ella Baker Center and the Oakland Apollo Alliance in our effort to create a new model for revitalizing urban areas. (May 2006) Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST See news coverage of 'Silence the Violence Day' on June 1, where people throughout northern California held candlelight vigils to honor those lost to violence. Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST This video short lays out the choices facing Governor Schwarzenegger as the campaign to reform California's juvenile justice system heats up. (November 2005) Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST Executive Director Van Jones speaks at Greenfest 2006. Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST In his milestone "Hope at the Crossroads" speech at the 2003 Bioneers Conference, Ella Baker Center Executive Director Van Jones lays out a new vision for a new, solution-driven, urban politics of hope. Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST At the September 21 Solutions Salon, Reclaim the Future, along with its allies in the Oakland Apollo Alliance, launched a new signature-gathering campaign: The Oakland Apollo Challenge. The goal: to get thousands of people to join us in challenging Oakland's leaders to achieve energy independence within ten years. Thu, 02 Nov 2006 12:00:00 EST Speaking at the Social Change Institute, Van Jones describes the "great convergence on the political left," a new trend towards coalition-building that is uniting racial justice and social justice movements with environmentalists and progressive business -- all in an effort to improve our communities. (May 2006) Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST In his closing speech at the National Conference on Media Reform, Van Jones talks about the inspiring accomplishments of the anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy media reform movement — and the possibilities he sees for the movement this year and in the future. Mon, 16 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST On September 27, tens of thousands of Americans will join together at events around the country to say, "We're ready!" -- ready for a green economy that lifts people out of poverty while also fighting the twin climate and energy crises. Our partners at Green For All, 1Sky, and the We campaign are organizing this National Day of Action to launch the green jobs movement to the center stage and push our elected officials to act, from local government to the presidential contenders. Ella Baker Center's Green-Collar Jobs Campaign will host an event in Oakland -- more details coming soon! Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Got a million dollars or a fraction there of? The good news is that Green for All won a challenge grant-but it's a real challenge. We have to match by December 31, 2007. Please help us take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. Every dollar counts! If you know anyone who might be interested in supporting our work, please encourage them to donate toward this challenge. Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Artists from Oakland, Richmond and Berkeley transform the Ella Baker Center into a music studio and create an entire album -- from writing to recording -- in just one weekend. Tony Fontaine summarizes the Turf Unity Project: "We've lost too many of our folks to violence, and I feel that as an artist, I can use my music to get a message of peace out to the streets." A joint project of Cov Records, Art In Action and Silence the Violence, the Turf Unity project brings artists from neighborhoods that are often in conflict together to create music of peace and hope. The project released its latest edition on April 11. Get your copy today! Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Books Not Bars rolled to Stockton to mark the closing of two of California's abusive youth prisons. When Division of Juvenile Justice officials ordered us off state property, we moved across the street and continued calling for the closure of the rest of California's abusive warehouse-style prisons and the creation of regional rehabilitation centers. We're making progress: since we started the campaign, the youth prison population has dropped from about 5000 to only 1900.Links to page about Stockton with pictures Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST