Dear EBASE community,
For nearly 20 years, I’ve worked at EBASE—12 of those as Executive Director. I’m writing to share that I will be transitioning out of the organization later this year.
When I first came to EBASE, I was a young organizer, inspired by what it promised: that people and coalitions can build power together around a shared vision—and win against great odds. I was bright-eyed and hopeful. And I owned a Nokia cell phone.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of incredible campaigns and movement moments. What stays with me most are the people—the relationships, the growth I’ve witnessed, and the lives intertwined with this work.
The children and babies who were part of EBASE years ago are now leading campaigns. Organizers are running organizations and shaping our cities. Movement leaders who guided us have become our ancestors. My own children grew up alongside this work.
All of it is a reminder: we do not win transformation alone. How we show up with each other not only makes bigger wins possible, but it also bridges us into the new world we are creating.
Together, we have faced enormous challenges and been part of historic moments: resisting the rise of fascism; advancing Black Lives Matter and racial justice; organizing workers in the face of corporate power grabs; defending our immigrant neighbors and keeping families together —and so much more. Through it all, our greatest strength has been our people and our connection to one another.
In this current moment, it can feel like so much of what we’ve built is being dismantled. Our communities are under attack. The systems and funding we rely on are under strain. And rapid shifts—from AI to climate chaos—are turning our world upside-down.
And still, what stands strong is our relationships with each other. The trust we’ve built—by showing up day after day, by caring for each other as organizers and as humans—is what sustains us for the long haul.
Our movement has never been about the short-term. And when we look back over the past 20 years, the change is undeniable. Twenty years from now, will we look back at this moment as an inflection point?
Could this period of challenge be an invitation to deepen our relationships and step more fully into our collective power and creativity? Could the intense disruption hold a hidden gift, calling us to dream beyond incremental change and build the world we truly want for our children and future generations?
Could caring for each other through these crises and attacks show us that we already have what we need to create a thriving world together?
I remain hopeful. Because I have seen what we are capable of when we come together.
As I step into this transition, I know that EBASE will continue forward, grounded in its values and its people—people like you. Our Board is leading a thoughtful and intentional process to select the next Executive Director, and I’m working closely with them to ensure a smooth transition. We’ll share more soon.
Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to this work. I hope you will continue to support EBASE during this transition—and continue investing in the generational change for a thriving East Bay.
Onward & upward,
Kate O’Hara, Executive Director
