Organizational Background

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (“EBC”) is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, CA, working to advance racial and economic justice to ensure dignity and opportunity for low-income people and people of color. In our 22-year history, we have worked on issues including jump starting the green jobs movement, promoting civic engagement, violence prevention through youth leadership, and transforming juvenile justice systems in California. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment—moving resources away from failed criminal justice policies and into creating opportunities, also known as “books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs.”

Internships

Policy | Development | Communications | Admin

The Ella Baker Center is committed to developing the leadership of individuals directly impacted by the criminal justice system, individuals who are underrepresented in the legal/policy field, and other groups that have been marginalized are strongly encouraged to apply to our program.

Policy Intern

The Policy Internship involves advocating for policy change at the local, state, and national level and will include the following:

  • Interns will conduct legal and policy research
  • Complete persuasive writing assignments
  • Outreach to communities whose voices need to influence policy. 

We accept interns with a variety of education credentials including undergraduates, law school or graduate students and non-students. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills; and, can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of EBC. This is an unpaid internship opportunity with travel stipend.

Required qualifications and skills

  • Interns are expected to make at least an 8-week commitment for 12-20 hours per week.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
  • Strong writing, editing and proof reading skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Development Internship

The Development Intern will work directly with the EBC development staff for this unique experience. The person who fills this position will contribute to the continued growth and sustainability of EBC as they learn about our fundraising model, resource organizing strategies, and database tools. As the Development Intern you will have an opportunity to build essential skills for success in nonprofit fundraising. You will receive training and professional development support, engage with the Ella Baker Center’s Fundraising Committee, and provide mission-critical support in our fundraising operation. Candidates must be committed to our mission to divest from prisons and punishment and reinvest those resources in healing and empowerment for our communities. 

What you will gain as a Development Intern:

  • You will learn the basics of nonprofit fundraising best practices.
  • You will be trained on Salesforce and how it’s used in the fundraising space.
  • You will learn how to conduct research for various fundraising opportunities.
  • You will participate in a final capstone project to be determined between you and your supervisor.

We are looking for Development Interns who are:

  • Excited to learn the ins and outs of fundraising.
  • Interested in cultivating their writing skills as a tool for fundraising.
  • Interns are expected to make a commitment of at least 12-20 hours per week during the internship period.

Communications Specialist Intern

This intern will work directly with the Communications team to develop, research and produce a variety of content related to Ella Baker Center campaigns and events that are journalistic, creative, and help generate amplify the voices of those most impacted by racism and the criminal justice system. Tasks will include but are not limited to:

  • writing blog posts and articles
  • posting to EBC social media pages
  • creating social media graphics
  • tracking media coverage of Ella Baker Center
  • writing press releases and contacting reporters

This is an unpaid internship opportunity with an available travel stipend. We accept interns with a variety of education credentials including undergraduates, graduate students and non-students.

Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills; and, can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of EBC. 

The ideal candidate also must have an eagerness to learn and a genuine desire to contribute to the mission of the Ella Baker Center.

Interns are expected to make at least an 8-week commitment for 12 – 20 hours per week.

Required qualifications and skills:

  • Exceptional writer
  • Excellent communication skills and quick learner; Attention to detail
  • Skills in layout, typography and design, knowledge of printing a plus