Van Jones

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1994

Van Jones

Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

http://www.ellabakercenter.org

San Francisco, California, United States

Community Improvement & Economic Development, Education & Youth Leadership, Non-Violence

The Bold Idea:

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is a strategy and action center working for justice, opportunity and peace in urban America. Based in Oakland, California, we promote positive alternatives to violence and incarceration through our four cutting-edge campaigns: Books Not Bars, Reclaim the Future, Bay Area Police Watch and Silence the Violence. The safest neighborhoods aren’t the ones with the most prisons and the most police. They’re the ones with the best schools, the cleanest environment, and the most opportunities for young people and working people. That’s what we want for urban America: justice in the system; opportunity in our cities; and peace on our streets. We use a mix of tactics to accomplish our mission, from grassroots organizing, direct action and media advocacy to public education, policy reform and legal service. This has earned us a reputation for tenacity and innovation.

Biography:

Van Jones is an environmental leader, civil rights attorney and powerhouse public speaker. He co-founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, CA. The Center promotes integrated solutions to urban America’s toughest problems: social inequality and environmental destruction.  Van is currently the president of Green For All, a U.S. organization that promotes green-collar jobs and opportunities for the disadvantaged. Its mission is to build an inclusive, green economy - strong enough to resolve the ecological crisis and lift millions of people out of poverty.

In 2008, Van was awarded: one of Essence Magazine's "Influential/Inspiring African Americans of 2008"; the Puffin/Nation prize for "Creative Citizenship"; the Elle Magazine "Green Award 2008"; selection as one of the George Lucas Foundation's "Daring Dozen 2008"; Hunt Alternatives "Prime Mover Award 2008"; Campaign for America's Future "Paul Wellstone Award 2008"; Global Green USA "Community Environmental Leadership Award 2008"; designation as one of the nation's "Plenty 20" in the October/November 2008 edition of Plenty Magazine; San Francisco Foundation "Community Leadership Award 2008"; Environment News Feed's "2008 Top Eco-entrepreneur of the Year"; in 2008, and one of the 20 Hottest Influences in the National Urban League's Urban Influence Magazine.

The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems by Van Jones "This book illustrates the link between the struggle to restore the environment and the need to revive the US economy. Van Jones demonstrates conclusively that the best solutions for the survivability of our planet are also the best solutions for everyday Americans." -- Al Gore "Van Jones has a unique ability to inspire people of all colors, classes and generations to uplift vulnerable people, while protecting our vulnerable planet. His sparkling intelligence, powerful vision and deep empathy are all on full display in The Green-Collar Economy." -- Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives