Our Team

Vince Steele is the Organizing Director with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. Here he manages the organizing team and leads the expansion and development of the Ella Baker Center membership. Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, Vince comes to us from a union family where he continued his family’s legacy working in the labor movement in southern California. He served many years with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as a labor organizer, winning major victories for low...

Terence Anthony Long is the Communications Director of the Ella Baker Center. Prior to joining the organization, Terence worked to amplify the voices of working people and communities of color on numerous campaigns for labor organizations, non-profits and arts-based groups in Los Angeles. He started his career at the Service Employees International Union as an organizer on the historic campaign to win union rights for majority African American security officers in South Los Angeles. Terence has...

In her role as State Field Director, Emily oversees state and local campaigns, develops a statewide membership structure, and builds and coordinates relationships with other state organizations, community leaders, allies, and key local and state officials. Emily has served as the Statewide Coordinator for Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) , a coalition of 65 anti-prison organizations (including theElla Baker Center), for four years. Her prior work experience includes working...

Jose is a Senior Organizer and Advocate at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. Jose comes from a family of first generation immigrants. He grew up in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. In late 2016, Jose was unanimously appointed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to serve on the San Francisco Reentry Council. While on the council, Jose has been a very active force in advocating for local restorative justice policies. Currently, he serves as Co-chair of the Reentry...

Norma Orozco is the Digital Communications Associate at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. She hopes to use social media and other digital platforms as a means to engage, educate and motivate people to action for social justice. Her goal is to create a more just and loving world. As a daughter of immigrants who has been directly impacted by the incarceration and detention of family members, she understands the intersections that affect communities of color. Norma began her career as a...

Monifa Akosua is a Richmond native with a passion for advocating and healing communities. Her mission is to heal systematic trauma and help people reach Black/Brown joy. She first became passionate about the community while working at Youth Radio. There she found her drive for youth development and community wellness. She spent over seven years working in communities and she knows what it takes to empower and elevate the people to seek change. She believes that healing through action and...