Ella’s Voice is the blog of the Ella Baker Center and strives to be an online community of political commentary, inspiring news, and social change action. Our blog includes articles by members of the Ella Baker Center staff as well as guest posts from allies and members.
To learn more about Ella’s Voice or to inquire about submitting an article, contact our Editors.
About Ella Baker Center
The Ella Baker Center is named for an unsung hero of the civil rights movement who inspired and guided emerging leaders. We build on her legacy by giving people opportunities and skills to work together to strengthen our communities so that all of us can thrive. Based in Oakland, CA the Ella Baker Center organizes people-powered campaigns to transform California and inspire the world. Learn more.
Ella’s Voice Editorial Board
The Ella’s Voice Editorial Board is a community-driven group of volunteers who are key to the success of our blog. As ambassadors between the community and Ella’s Voice, Editorial Board members generate content and support promotion and outreach for Ella’s Voice. Learn more and apply!
Current Editorial Board members are:
Stephen Downey is originally from Sacramento county and recently earned a degree in Urban Studies from UC Berkeley. He is a former Ella Baker Center intern, where he was able to develop his interest in working with non-profits and community development. He currently works at Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center in San Francisco.
Sarah Ducker is a second year at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double degree in History and Society & Environment. She is passionate about social justice and equality and is especially interested in issues involving youth, women, and the LGBTQIA community.
Lucas Guilkey is a journalist and filmmaker based in the East Bay. He sees both the written word and multimedia as organizing tools to be used toward progressive political change and social justice. The lens of racial justice and white privilege is an especially important fulcrum for him in realizing systemic change in all areas of society. He has freelanced for Norman Solomon, KPFA, Project WHAT!, Bay Localize, the Collective Liberation Tour, Oakland Community Organizations, and he worked as the Communications and Media Intern at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 2010 and IHP’s “Rethinking Globalization: Nature, Culture, Justice” in 2009. You can follow him on Twitter @lucaswolf.
Grecia Lima is an experienced community organizer and electoral strategist/organizer. She is the campaign director of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in Cailfornia. Her other recent campaigns include the Federal DREAM Act, CA Dream Act, the protection of social services in the California State Budget, Monique Limon for Santa Barbara School Board and No on Measure B. Grecia is a UC San Diego graduate where she studied Economic Development and International Migration.
Shanelle Mathews is a communications professional working in the reproductive justice movement. She currently works as currently works as Communications Manager for Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice. Previously, she worked as a freelance journalist contributing to 
media chiefly in the nonprofit sector, such as Women’s eNews and The Women’s Media Center. Shanelle earned a degree in new and online media from the Manship School of Mass Communications at Louisiana State University and is working toward a M.S. in Urban Studies; Race, Ethnicity & Urban Culture from the University of Nebraska. Shanelle was recognized as one of 225 Magazine’s Top People to Watch, selected as the Showtime Legend for LSU’s chapter of the NAACP and given “The Voice” award from LSU’s chapter of Association of Black Communicators. In 2007 Shanelle was also recognized by CNN for her mobilization efforts during the Jena 6 trials in Jena, LA.
Commenting Guidelines
We warmly welcome comments, questions, and dialogue about the articles on Ella’s Voice. However, Ella’s Voice is moderated and we will not post comments that contain offensive language, blatant personal attacks, or that are spam. Please note, as well, that opinions expressed in blog comments are those of the persons submitting the comments, and don’t necessarily represent the views of the Ella Baker Center.