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Birthdate
Norfolk, Virginia -
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Early Life
Ella Jo Baker grew up in North Carolina hearing her maternal grandparents tell stories and share their experiences from when they were enslaved. Learning about their struggles developed a passion in Baker for seeking justice from an early age. Her grandparents eventually bought a plot of land to live and farm on, which was part of the plantation they once were enslaved upon. This deeply inspired Ella Jo! -
College Graduation
Baker studied at Shaw University and graduated as the Valedictorian. During her time as a student, she sought to bring change for policies she felt were unfair. Soon after graduating in 1927, Ella Jo moved to New York City to embark on her social activist journey. -
Young Negroes Cooperative League
In 1930, Baker became a member of the Young Negroes Cooperative League, which was centered around cultivating black economic power. She was convinced that a big aspect of freedom was ensuring there were enough jobs for everyone in the black community. -
Working for the NAACP
At the start of the 1940s, Ella Jo Baker joined the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) as a travelling secretary who recruited and raised funds for the organization. In 1946, she took the lead and was named the National Director of Branches. Baker chose to step down from her role in the NAACP a few years later, however, as she began taking care of her niece, realizing the job required too much travelling.
https://youtu.be/DWCiEln_hNg -
In Friendship
Inspired by the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, Ella Jo Baker cofounded an organization called In Friendship to help raise funds for the Civil Rights Movement in the south. -
Southern Leadership Conference
Baker helped form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, alongside other Southern Black ministers including Martin Luther King Jr. Ella Jo served as the Director of the organization. -
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Baker departed from the SCLC to help form SNCC in 1960. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was organized by students, and Baker was passionate about helping the younger generation prepare and grow into men and women who were informed and inspired to improve human rights. SNCC encouraged people to perform "sit-ins" and other peaceful protests. https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Student-Nonviolent-Coordinating-Committee/337578 -
Death
Until she passed on her 83rd birthday, Ella Jo Baker served as an advocate for change in the black community. She sought for all people to get informed and actively engage with the Civil Rights Movement, doing all they can to make a difference in not only their lives but also the lives of others. Baker is a role model for all of those who fight against injustice. https://youtu.be/McneFCdHUn0