One of the most rewarding aspects of my work at the Ella Baker Center is supporting our different programs and campaigns. As the Director of Programs, I often assist events where I see our staff do what we do best: engage those directly wounded by social and economic injustice and… Read more
As a young woman of color, I find it hard to stay focused in Oakland. Every night while I do my homework, I hear the rattling of gunshots bouncing off the cement sidewalks. I hear people yelling and crying after getting a call from the hospital, telling them a… Read more
Our Heal the Streets program includes an opportunity for Fellows to be placed with mentors. I had the chance to mentor 17 year old, Met West Senior, Dion Campbell. Want to know about how the police tried to stop her racial profiling project? What her best friend thinks… Read more
This poem was written by Heal the Streets fellow, Tele’jon Quinn, for the Heal the Streets Graduation. This year the fellows researched the issue of racial profiling. You can download a copy of their report on our website. Please note the poem has some “adult” language.
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When I first walked through the doors of Ella Baker Center for the Heal the Streets fellowship, I was so excited because I knew I was about to do something to make a difference. At first, I thought that we’d be on the streets protesting and going to… Read more
I had the privilege of attending the open-to-the-public People’s Hearing on Racism and Police Violence this weekend in Oakland. From 9 to 5 on both Saturday and Sunday, at least 100 people at any one time sat in the gym of Edna Brewer Middle School listening to… Read more
by Alex Walker
I’ve done some research on the recent Gang Injunctions. I’ve come to realize that this legislation is an assault on communities of color. I say “assault” because it adjusts racial profiling into a legal practice. There is no doubt that gang injunctions are a negative development for… Read more
by Emily Luhrs, Heal the Street Volunteer.
These are the times for real choices and not false ones. We are at the moment when our lives must be placed on the line if our nation is to survive its own folly. Every man of humane convictions must decide on the… Read more
On Monday, January 17th, the Heal the Streets fellows helped Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream come alive. Dr. King wanted to see a world where people were judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. The work of this year’s fellows… Read more
Our Heal the Streets fellows kicked off 2011 by sharing their vision for peace and youth activism in the new year. This is the last in our four-part series sharing their thoughts.
In 2011, what would you like to see the new Mayor do to prevent violence in Oakland?… Read more
