stories and histories WHO IS ELLA JO BAKER? HER HISTORY.

Adeyemi Olajide » Who is Ella Jo Baker? Her history.

Ella Jo Baker

Ms. Baker played a key role in some of the most influential organizations of the time, including the NAACP, Martin Luther Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

Like her, we spark change by unlocking the power of every person to strengthen their communities and shape their future.

Listen in as we look at the life and legacy of the activist, mentor, and revolutionary the Ella Baker Center is named for. In this episode of our podcast, we speak with Dr. Barabara Ransby, author of Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement about Ella Bakers history and vision. Also, legendary activists who organized with Miss Baker share their stories.

Ella Bakers Early Life
Ella Jo Baker was born on December 13, 1903, in Norfolk, Virginia. Growing up in North Carolina, she developed a sense for social justice early on, due in part to her grandmothers stories about life under slavery.

As a slave, her grandmother had been whipped for refusing to marry a man chosen for her by the slave owner. Her grandmothers pride and resilience in the face of racism and injustice continued to inspire Ms. Baker throughout her life.

Ella Bakers maternal grandparents bought, lived on, and cultivated land that was formerly a part of the plantation on which they were enslaved. They bought the land for $250, which they paid off in installments. This purchase was the source of great pride for their family, and they went on to become successful farmers.

Baker studied at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. As a student she challenged school policies that she thought were unfair. After graduating in 1927 as class valedictorian, she moved to New York City and began joining social activist organizations.

In 1930, she joined the Young Negroes Cooperative League, whose purpose was to develop black economic power through collective planning. She also involved herself with several womens organizations. She was committed to economic justice for all people and once said, People cannot be free until there is enough work in this land to give everybody a job.

At the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights today, we continue in her legacy when we say books not bars, jobs not jails and healthcare not handcuffs. We know the prison system is the largest provider of mental health care and substance abuse rehabilitation in our country today. Prisons cannot continue to be the answer to these public health crises. Care based and community based solutions are the answer like healthcare for all, free public education, and housing as a recognized human right.

Joining the Struggle Against Jim Crow

Ella Baker began her involvement with the NAACP in 1940. She worked as a field secretary and then served as director of branches from 1943 until 1946.

Inspired by the historic bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955, Baker co-founded the organization In Friendship to raise money to fight against Jim Crow Laws in the deep South.

In 1957, Baker moved to Atlanta to help organize Martin Luther Kings new organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). She also ran a voter registration campaign called the Crusade for Citizenship.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
On February 1, 1960, a group of black college students from North Carolina A&T University refused to leave a Woolworths lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina where they had been denied service.

Baker left the SCLC after the Greensboro sit-ins. She wanted to assist the new student activists because she viewed young, emerging activists as a resource and an asset to the movement. Miss Baker organized a meeting at Shaw University for the student leaders of the sit-ins in April 1960. From that meeting, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee SNCC was born.

Adopting the Gandhian theory of nonviolent direct action, SNCC members joined with activists from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) to organize the 1961 Freedom Rides.

In 1964 SNCC helped create Freedom Summer, an effort to focus national attention on Mississippis racism and to register black voters.

Miss Baker, and many of her contemporaries, believed that voting was one key to freedom. Today, that is still the case: if we do not exercise our collective voice, we are unable to influence the policies and laws that impact our lives. To be counted, we must be heard.

The Audacity to Dream Big

With Ella Bakers guidance and encouragement, SNCC became one of the foremost advocates for human rights in the country. Ella Baker once said, This may only be a dream of mine, but I think it can be made real.

This dream of Bakers can continue to be made real. You can join her legacy and be a part of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights today. In fact, you are the key to making Bakers dream reality.

Ella Bakers influence was reflected in the nickname she acquired: Fundi, a Swahili word meaning a person who teaches a craft to the next generation. Baker continued to be a respected and influential leader in the fight for human and civil rights until her death on December 13, 1986, her 83rd birthday.

Wanting to celebrate Ella Jo Baker as an unsung hero of racial and economic justice, the civil rights movement, and seeking to honor her legacy of leadership and movement building, our founders chose to name our Center for Ella Baker. Her audacity to dream big is a cornerstone of our philosophy.

We believe the best way to honor Ms. Bakers legacy is to inspire people to imagine new possibilities, lead with solutions, and engage communities to drive positive change. Join us and keep her story going.

Please help us share this, using our share botton.
Bookmark Our website https://wap.org.ng

Author: adex3g 4 months
0 62

---

SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THE IGBO ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING BOUGHT BY SOME OTHER NIGERIANS, AND THAT THEY "SELL" THE IGBO IN THE BARGAIN; IS THIS TRUE?
Some People Say That The Igbo Are Susceptible To Being Bought By Some Other Nigerians, And That They "sell" The Igbo In The Bargain; Is This True?

Answer: The Same Parroting And Recycling Of Unfounded Talk. When You Hear Such A Talk, Challenge...

Author: adex3g 1 year
Comment 0 . Views 113

---

YAKUBU DOGARA, A FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS AGAIN KICKED AGAINST THE MUSLIM-MUSLIM PRESIDENTIAL TICKET OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC).
Speaking At The APC Northern Christian Leaders Summit On Friday July 29, Dogara Said The Ruling Party And Its Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu Made A “fatal Error Of Judgment”.

He Also Said That It Is Hogwash To Assert That No Christian...

Author: adex3g 1 year
Comment 0 . Views 150

---

CELEBRITY KIDNAPPER JOHN LYON TO BE ARRAIGNED TODAY
Celebrity Kidnapper John Lyon To Be Arraigned Today

The Bayelsa State Police Command Has Said It Will Arraign Celebrity Kidnapper, John Ewa Popularly Known On Social Media As John Lyon, On Wednesday, November 30, 2022 (today).

Author: adex3g 10 months
Comment 0 . Views 103

---

ERNEST OKONKWO WAS A NIGERIAN FOOTBALL COMMENTATOR FAMOUS IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY
Ernest Okonkwo Was A Nigerian Football Commentator Famous In The Late 20th Century. Regarded As One Of The Best Commentators From Africa, He Was Known For His Ability To Conjure Words. Below Are Some Of His Commentaries...

"Iron Gate Emmanuel...

Author: adex3g 1 year
Comment 0 . Views 210

---

EZE AND THE KINGSHIP SYSTEM
Eze In Igbo Is Not King, And Has Never Been,

Prior To The British Colonial Rule, The Very Concept Of Kingship Or Monarchical Leadership Was Foreign To Igbo Worldview Or Culture.

What The Eze Is In Igbo Society Was A Chief...

Author: adex3g 1 year
Comment 0 . Views 241

---

WHO IS KONSTANTINOS SISMANOGLOU
Konstantinos Sismanoglou (May 23, 1857 - June 27, 1951)

Born In Chalkidona, On The Asian Side Of Constantinople, He Was The Son Of The Prominent Businessman, Banker And Greek National Benefactor Ioannis Sismanoglou, Who Spent Much Of His...

Author: adex3g 2 months
Comment 0 . Views 44

---

9 RULES FOR CHILDREN FROM 12 RULES FOR LIFE BY JORDAN PETERSON
9 Rules For Children From 12 Rules For Life By Jordan Peterson.

1) Do Not Bite, Kick Or Hit, Except In Self-defense. And Yes, If Self-defense Is Required, Bite, Kick And/or Hit. Its Okay For Kids To Defend Themselves And To Stand Up...

Author: adex3g 6 months
Comment 0 . Views 181

---

NIGERIAN GRANDMOTHER ARRESTED OVER TRAFFICKING OF METH, SKUNK FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Nigerian Grandmother Arrested Over Trafficking Of Meth, Skunk From South Africa

A 60-year-old Grandmother Identified As Mrs. Ibinosun Sandra Esther Has Been Arrested By The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) During An Interdiction...

Author: adex3g 10 months
Comment 0 . Views 141

---

STEPHEN OLAORE OLADIPUPO OWOMOYELA A K A ORLANDO OWOH, FEBRUARY 14, 1936 - NOVEMBER 4, 2008
STEPHEN OLAORE OLADIPUPO OWOMOYELA A K A ORLANDO OWOH, FEBRUARY 14, 1936 - NOVEMBER 4, 2008.


He Was Born In Osogbo But Of Ifon Omimah Parentage. He Learned Juju Music And Theatre From Chief Kola Ogunmola. He Left Kola Ogunmola...

Author: adex3g 9 months
Comment 0 . Views 111

---

HOW TO FIND THE BEST BOARDING SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES
Are You Looking For The Best Boarding Schools In The United States? For Those Who Seek An Educational Experience That Is Both Challenging And Rewarding, A Well-renowned Boarding School May Be The Perfect Fit. Boarding Schools Offer An Excellent Education,...

Author: adex3g 4 months
Comment 0 . Views 62

---

ORIGIN OF THE NAME ‘LAFIAGI’
In Former Times KinNupe Was Known As Ife, Ifa Or Apa. It Is This Ancient National Name Of KinNupe That Is Still Known As Apa Among The Idoma, Igbira, Igala And Many Other Ancient Nigerian Peoples Who Originated From And Left KinNupe In Those Days When...

Author: adex3g 1 year
Comment 0 . Views 244

---

WHO IS PAULA KELLY? PAULA KELLY'S CAREER!
Paula Kelly Was An American Actress That Began Her Acting Career In 1968. She Appeared In Her First Theatrical Movie In 1969 Called "Sweet Charity" And In 1971, She Landed A Significant Role In "The Andromeda Strain." During The Early 1970s, Kelly Starred...

Author: adex3g 3 months
Comment 0 . Views 38

---

'I WISH PETER OBI WAS NOT AN IGBO MAN
'I Wish Peter Obi Was Not An Igbo Man'

Sometimes I Just Wish That Peter Obi Was From Another Tribe But Not Igbo So I Can Campaign For Him Without Anyone Thinking I'm Doing So Because He's Igbo Or People Rejecting The Best Candidate Just...

Author: adex3g 11 months
Comment 0 . Views 91

---

WHO IS APOSTOLOS ARSAKIS
Apostolos Arsakis (January 6, 1792 - July 16, 1874)

From The Village Of Hotahova Just North Of Premeti In Northern Epirus, He Was A Doctor, Scholar, Politician, Philanthropist And National Benefactor Of 19th Century Greece.

Educated...

Author: adex3g 2 months
Comment 0 . Views 21

---

DEAD ON ARRIVAL: ROTIMI AMAECHI AND EL-RUFAI'S PRESIDENCY UNSETTLES APC AS GEJ AND MAI BUNI'S TICKET HITS THE ROCKS
They Say When Two Elephants Fight The Grass Suffers, But In Reality Not Only Does The Grass Suffers The Land As Well As The Elephants Themselves Mourns.

Have You Ever Wondered How The Injury Would Be When Two Elephants Fight Against Themselves?...

Author: adex3g 1 year
Comment 0 . Views 170

---