Leader Voices

When most people experience a higher calling, they focus their energy on one project until their passion burns out. Marsha Martin dedicated herself to three projects. And, she has been doing it for nearly 40 years.  Marsha’s fierce determination to defeat HIV/AIDS means she plays important roles in Get Screened Oakland (GSO), Global Network of […]

Inspired by the dramatic success of restorative justice practices in South Africa and New Zealand, Dr. Fania Davis began exploring the possibility of an Oakland initiative. In 2005, with a small grant from Oakland-based Measure Y, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) was born! We spoke with Co-executive Director Teiahsha Bankhead about making broken bonds […]

Celebrating 25 years this year, the San Francisco Dyke March brings dyke communities together to celebrate unity, raise consciousness, and be visible. The march and rally advocates justice for lesbians globally, by advocating against oppression, racism, sexism, homophobia, and poverty. The annual march occurs during the week of Pride celebration, and falls on Saturday, June […]

With its origins in a 2013 Meetup group, Startup Policy Lab works at the intersection of technology and government to promote innovative, open, and data-driven policymaking. We spoke with Founder and Executive Director Charles Belle about a big and unique event happening next month, inspiration and partnerships, the benefit and challenge of being nonpartisan, and his even bigger […]

Latino Outdoors is a network of leaders committed to engaging Latinos in the outdoors, connecting familias and youth with nature, and welcome local role models in share their personal stories on social media. Since their first California outing in three years ago, Latino Outdoors has seen explosive growth to regional community-based teams across the U.S. We […]

Memory Care Café is a Community Initiatives project that organizes informal meetings and social outings for people living in the Bay area with ‘forgetfulness’ (early-stage Alzheimer’s/dementia) and their care partners. We spoke with Program Director Patricia Ris and Development Director Debora Tingley about the necessity of social support services, fantastic partnerships, experimenting with marketing, and more. […]

Help a Mother Out is a Community Initiatives project that works to improve baby and family well being by increasing access to diapers for families in need. We spoke with founder Lisa Truong about their remarkable growth, valuing individual and collective impact, the importance of diverse funding streams, and more. What’s ONE thing you wish other […]