The rumors are true!
After nine years, EBASE is seeking a new executive director!  
In this exclusive interview, we get “up close and personal” with Amaha Kassa, EBASE’s outgoing ED, to get the juicy details on the organization’s upcoming leadership transition.

So it’s true.  Where are you going?  Why are you leaving?
Well, after nine great years at EBASE, I’m going to be moving on.  It’s hard to let go, because I’ve had such a fantastic experience working here.  But I’ve wanted for a while to move into work in the international arena – specifically work with African immigrant communities, which is where my roots are.  Part of that shift means going to law school this fall, but I’m still figuring out my exact long-term plans…

How is EBASE approaching the transition to a new ED?  When will it happen?
The transition will take place this summer.  There’s a candidate search process underway right now, led by a Transition Committee of EBASE’s Board.  We’re actively recruiting candidates right now.  It’s an open, national search process, and we have a number of great senior level staff within the organization who are going to be staying on in their current roles, but none of those people are looking to step into the ED role.  They will be here to support EBASE’s new ED in coming on board!

After you transition out of your role as ED, do you plan on still working with EBASE?
I’m definitely looking forward to staying involved with this organization – as a star volunteer – staying in the area, ready to be on call to help whenever I can.

You’ve been at EBASE for almost nine (gasp!) years.  How have you seen EBASE change and grow in that time?
The growth of this organization in the last nine years has been really amazing and truly gratifying.  We started out as three people.  We had one small grant and a corner of the UNITE-HERE Local 2850 office.  We had one phone between us and we were trying to get some work started around living wage policy in Berkeley and Oakland.  Since then, we’ve become this major organization; with a budget over one million dollars and fifteen dedicated, talented staff members.  We’re at the forefront of some of the most exciting economic justice campaigns – not only in the East Bay, but also nationally.  It’s been really rewarding.  We’ve moved into a true leadership role in this movement.

Where do you see EBASE now?  What impact do you see this transition having on the organization?
I’m really excited about how this transition is going to move EBASE forward.  I truly see this as an opportunity.  Successfully managing the transition of a long-time or founding director really forces an organization to grow and mature.  It pushes the staff and the Board to step up and take more ownership and drives people into deep leadership roles.  It’s an infusion of fresh blood and fresh vision into the organization.  Transitions can be challenging – they’re a lot of work – but in an organization as healthy as EBASE, it will take us to a new level.  I’m excited – it’s kind of like a software upgrade!

What work are you excited to see EBASE take on in the future?  In what direction do you see the organization headed?
Some of the directions laid out in our strategic plan are really exciting and groundbreaking.  I’m thinking of two specific examples.  First, there’s exciting work happening at the intersection of labor, community organizing, and the environment.  A prime example of that intersection is the Port truck drivers’ campaign.  Three sectors are coming together to demand good, quality, union jobs that will employ workers of color and address long-standing, critical environmental issues.

And second, it is becoming increasingly clear that it’s not enough to organize workers shop-by-shop, workplace-by-workplace.  We need to start raising standards across the board – across entire industries.  To do this, we’re starting to use innovative strategies and new policy tools to organize whole sectors of the economy – logistics, health care, etc.  That’s a new area for us, and an exciting new model.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job as EBASE’s Executive Director?
The most rewarding part of my job has been that in nine years, I’ve never stopped learning!  Every day presents new challenges and new opportunities.  As soon as we get to the point where we’re starting to get comfortable, we’re challenged to take our work to the next level.  Frankly, in both labor and community organizing today there’s much more demand – and opportunity – for the work we do than when I started with EBASE.  We’re doing innovative work, blazing new trails, and employing new strategies.  I’ve also been really fortunate in the folks I get to work with – our staff team, a committed Board of Directors, dedicated partner organizations, and incredible allies.  This has to be one of the most fun jobs around.  Whoever gets to do this after me will be really, really lucky.

What would you tell someone applying for your job?
Go for it!  It’s exciting and rewarding – plus you’ll never stop learning.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time at EBASE?
That’s a great question.  Persistence.  There are things we’re working on today – things we are able to win today – that we only dreamed about just a few years ago.  Persistence is crucial.

Ok.  Now to the real questions.  What’s your zodiac sign?
Scorpio, but I don’t really follow astrology.

If you were a color, what color would you be?  Why?
I think I would be sky blue – because that’s EBASE’s color!

If you could convey only one message to the world, what would it be?
I think I would pick the central message of organizing:  we can accomplish more together than we can individually!

Click here to download the ED job description and to get information on applying for the position.  The position will be open until filled.