Press Room

About the Ella Baker Center

To interview our staff, or learn more about our work, contact:
Zaineb Mohammed, Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Office: 510.285.8236
Cell: 630.921.1741


We are named after Ella Baker, a brilliant, black hero of the civil rights movement. Following in her footsteps, we build the power of black, brown, and poor people to break the cycles of incarceration and poverty and make our communities safe, healthy, and strong.

  • For more information read our About Us page
  • For analysis, updates, and action please visit our blog, Ella's Voice
  • For the latest news articles on our work, visit In the News

 

Press Releases:

Governor Brown Signs Legislation Ending Long-Term Isolation of Youth in California’s Juvenile Facilities

September 27, 2016
CONTACT: Zaineb Mohammed, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: [email protected] or 510.285.8236 SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation limiting the use of room confinement of youth in California’s juvenile facilities. The landmark bill was authored by... Read More

Governor Brown Signs Legislation Protecting Right to Legal Representation for People in California Jails

September 23, 2016
CONTACT: Zaineb Mohammed, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: [email protected] or 510.285.8236 Governor Brown Signs Legislation Protecting Right to Legal Representation for People in California Jails Sacramento, CA — On Friday, September 23rd Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation... Read More

Justice Reinvestment Coalition Wins 1,400 Jobs for Formerly Incarcerated People in Alameda County

June 29, 2016
June 28, 2016 CONTACT: Zaineb Mohammed, [email protected], 630-921-1741 Justice Reinvestment Coalition Wins 1,400 Jobs for Formerly Incarcerated People in Alameda County Oakland, CA-- On Tuesday, June 28th, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (5-0) in favor of a new... Read More

New Report Reveals Negative Health Impacts of Public Housing Policies that Discriminate Against People with Criminal Records

June 21, 2016
CONTACT: Zaineb Mohammed, [email protected] , 510-285-8236 New Report Reveals Negative Health Impacts of Public Housing Policies that Discriminate Against People with Criminal Records Oakland, Calif. — The Long Road Home: Decreasing Barriers to Public Housing for People with Criminal... Read More

#FreeJasmine: Ella Baker Center Statement on Jasmine Richards

June 03, 2016
On June 1st, Black Lives Matter Pasadena organizer Jasmine Richards was convicted of “felony lynching.” Jasmine was accused of trying to prevent the police from arresting a person last September, which falls under the description of “lynching” under an antiquated California... Read More

Racial Justice Bill on Sentencing Falls Short on Close Vote in CA State Senate

April 25, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2016 Contact: Zaineb Mohammed, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: [email protected] or 630-921-1741 Racial Justice Bill on Sentencing Falls Short on Close Vote in CA State Senate Reconsideration Granted – Needs 3 More Votes to Pass Sacramento—A... Read More

Senator Mitchell Bill to Prohibit California Jails from Eliminating In-Person Visitation Rights Successfully Approved by Senate Public Safety Committee

April 12, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2016 Media Contact: Zaineb Mohammed, [email protected] or 510-285-8236 Sacramento, CA - Today, a bill sponsored by Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D- South Los Angeles), SB 1157, was successfully approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee. The bill would... Read More

Bill to Repeal Sentencing Enhancements for Prior Drug Convictions Passes Its First Test

April 05, 2016
CONTACT: Zaineb Mohammed, [email protected] or 510-285-8236 Sacramento, CA – Today, a bill authored by Senator Holly Mitchell to repeal ineffective sentencing enhancements for prior drug convictions passed the California Senate Public Safety Committee. “Piling extra years onto... Read More

Probation Chiefs and Youth Advocates Partner on Legislation to Address Room Confinement in Juvenile Facilities

March 30, 2016
CONTACT: Laura Dixon, Chief Probation Officers of California, [email protected] or 510.384.3020 Zaineb Mohammed, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, [email protected] or 510.285.8236 Sacramento, CA – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) and youth... Read More

Ella Baker Center Statement on Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016

January 27, 2016
Today, Governor Jerry Brown announced a ballot initiative that will reduce wasteful spending on prisons, improve rehabilitation, and require judges instead of prosecutors to decide whether youth should be tried as adults. The following is a statement from Ella Baker Center for Human Rights Director... Read More