What's New at Ella Baker Center

Solar You Can Afford

August 17, 2010 — If you sign up for a new, zero-down solar lease from Sungevity, the Ella Baker Center will receive a $500 donation. On top of that, Sungevity will reward you as a new solar lease customer your own check of $500 upon installation. [Read More]

Heal the Streets Fellows Link Violence and Unemployment

August 10, 2010 — Heal the Streets youth fellows engaged in a participatory action research project to explore the link between youth community violence and youth unemployment. This policy paper outlines their thesis, research process, findings and recommendations -- please read and share it today. We hope that business owners, policy makers and youth will consider these findings in their efforts to make Oakland a more vibrant, just and safe community for all. [Read More]

Learning From Our Mistakes Premiere

July 20, 2010 — On July 20th, The Ella Baker Center's Books Not Bars Campaign premiered Learning from Our Mistakes: Transforming Juvenile Justice -- a blueprint for model juvenile justice practice. This new 20 minute film from the Ella Baker Center demonstrates that we can redirect the school to prison pipeline that results in the disparate lock up of youth of color AND provide rehabilitative care for youth who have gotten in the most serious trouble. [Read More]

Proposition 23 Backers Among Biggest Polluters in California

July 10, 2010 — The Ella Baker Center and the California Environmental Justice Alliance release a new study revealing that Valero and Tesoro, the two Texas oil companies bankrolling Proposition 23 to repeal California's clean air and energy standards, have been repeatedly cited for producing deadly chemicals at their refineries and exposing millions of families, especially in communities of color, to harm. [Read More]

Ella Baker Center Reacts to Oscar Grant Verdict

July 9, 2010 — Today, a jury in Los Angeles found former BART Policeman Johannes Mehserle guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in the murder of 22-year old Oscar Grant. The Ella Baker Center recognizes the importance of holding Mehserle, as a representative of police systems and police brutality everywhere, accountable for the death of Oscar Grant. However, with the verdict of involuntary manslaughter, even with the gun enhancement, the jury has decreed that Mehserle will receive a sentence of five - fourteen years. [Read More]

Communities United Against the Dirty Energy Prop Coalition

July 2, 2010 — The Dirty Energy Proposition, Prop 23, will be on the November ballot and the Ella Baker Center will fight this deceptive, job-killing, Texas-oil-funded initiative that would roll back California's Global Warming Solutions Act and cripple California's green economy. [Read More]

Framing the Future

April 22, 2010 — The Ella Baker Center is pleased to share the Executive Summary of our 2010-2012 Strategic Plan. In this video and slide presentation, Jakada Imani, Executive Director, gives an inspiring overview of the vision and direction for the Ella Baker Center. [Read More]

Governor Calls for $3.5 Billion Reduction in Corrections Spending Through Prison Privatization

January 7, 2010 — During his State of the State address today, Governor Schwarzenegger proposed a constitutional amendment that would bar the state from spending more on prisons than on higher education, and that would allow privatization of California’s prison system. Advocates applauded the call for significant cuts, but criticized the governor for leaning on a panacea of privatization. [Read More]

Good Jobs, Safe Streets: How Economic Recovery Can Lead to Community Safety in Oakland

October 25, 2009 — Over the past year, the Ella Baker Center, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) and Urban Peace Movement have partnered on an innovative research project entitled Good Jobs, Safe Streets: How Economic Recovery Can Lead to Community Safety in Oakland. This report is the beginning of a collaborative effort city-wide to ensure that all young people have systems in place that can be utilized to foster their development, personal growth and leadership within the community. [Read More]

Major Media Joins The Call for California Prison Reform

August 21, 2009 — The Sacramento Bee, San Fransisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News have come out in favor of Prison Reform for California mean while TIME Magazine, The New York Times and countless number of other publications have written stories pointing to California as a example of what's wrong when your priorities are centered around incarceration not education. [Read More]