Extraordinary Women Making History: Candice Elder, the Community Leader Focusing on the Global Issue of Homelessness in her Corner of the World

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Candice has a history of serving those whose voices aren’t consistently heard as loudly as others. This can be seen through her participation as a community leader on various boards ranging from the Board of Directors for UC Berkeley Black Alumni Club, State Board for Black Women Organized for Political Action, Board of Directors for Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project, to serving on the Advisory Committee for Breaking the Silence Town Hall on Women and Girls of Color in Oakland and being the President of the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) Vanguard.

It is a truth that everything we have done in life leads us to where we are today. This can be seen with her founding and serving as the Executive Director of the non-profit organization, The East Oakland Collective. This member based organization is fully invested in serving the underserved people in deep East Oakland, California. The work her and her team have accomplished has garnered the attention of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing. Homelessness isn’t some burden to be swept under the rug so the steady increase in Oakland is being investigated as a human rights issue that the City of Oakland isn’t giving enough attention to. In the true spirit of leadership, Candice hasn’t waited for anyone to show her the way. She surrounds herself with people who are just as extraordinary in order to continue being of service to her community.

She has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions over the years for her work. We’re doing our part to continue acknowledging the difference she’s making on unprecedented levels. If you happen to be in Oakland within the coming weeks, support The East Oakland Collective community workshop of Let’s Bike Oakland on March 21, 2018 and their monthly initiative dedicated to the homeless, Feed the Hood 5 on April 15, 2018.

To get a glimpse of Candice speaking on protecting the encampments, see the video below.

To keep up with The East Oakland Collective, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and also donate to their efforts.

CALLING ALL WOMEN: During the entire month of March, we will be honoring Women's History Monthby accepting submissions/pitches related to women. If you have something to say about being a woman, how you embrace women (even when they're different from you), the impact you see women having in the world, or anything else related to womanhood, we want to hear from you!

Please send all pitches/submissions to submissions@theextraordinarynegroes.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!