Candice Elder
Founder & Executive Director
The East Oakland Collective
Oakland, CA USA
“Do it afraid.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationCandice Elder
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political science and a minor in African American studies, thinking I was ultimately going to become a lawyer.
I spent ten years as a paralegal working in antitrust law, employment discrimination, and racial justice.
I tried to go to law school part time while working full time but quickly realized that the workload wasn’t going to work.
After brainstorming other paths that would still allow me to have an impact in social justice, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice and then look for criminal justice reform jobs.
I had trouble finding a job in criminal justice reform, so I actually went back to law and worked as a paralegal for an antitrust law firm.
I joined a young professionals board through the Museum of the African Diaspora, where I developed my leadership skills and learned what it was like to work in philanthropy.
After becoming more confident in my nonprofit management skills, I wanted to try a full-time nonprofit position—I worked for the Women’s Funding Network, which promotes investment in women and girls.
While working for the Women’s Funding Network, I started The East Oakland Collective as a way to give back to the community I was raised in.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Political Science
University of California, Berkeley
Political Science
University of California, Berkeley
Graduate
Criminal Justice, Rehabilitation, Reform
University of Cincinnati
Criminal Justice, Rehabilitation, Reform
University of Cincinnati
Career
Founder & Executive Director
I lead a community organizing group working towards racial and economic equity in Oakland, California.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Politics
Helping People
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I can't lead this board. I'm too afraid to. I don't have the capabilities to do this."
Interviewed By
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