Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

EBC builds power with systems-impacted people to drive systems-change. Over its 27-year history, the families and communities EBC organizes with have collectively transformed the criminal justice system in California, from closing abusive youth prisons to passing first-of-its-kind legislation to challenge racial discrimination in trials and sentencing. Building on the organizing approach of civil rights leader Ella Baker, EBC invests in the leadership of the people most impacted by racial oppression. EBC is led by systems-impacted people and implements solutions created from lived expertise. Recent California victories like the Racial Justice Act for All, the RISE Act, and the Access to Programming Act were pioneered at EBC and are poised to bring thousands home to their families. EBC also invests in leadership in its core base. For example, currently incarcerated people are most impacted – but least included – in policies for decarceration. Through EBC’s 9,000+ inside member network, currently incarcerated people weigh in on policy solutions, organize with their peers, speak out on issues impacting their lives, and get support to advocate for their freedom. Locally, in the Bay Area, EBC builds credible alternatives to prisons. Restore Oakland, EBC’s community center, models investments that return opportunity to over-criminalized neighborhoods. Here, EBC and partners offer resources like restorative justice circles, re-entry support, tenants rights tools, job training, and entrepreneurship funding that build a vibrant, prosperous community. Organizing for safety, power, freedom, and opportunity, EBC advances the self-determination of the people most impacted by the criminal justice system.