Today we’d like to introduce you to E’Layjiah Wooley.
Hi E’Layjiah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My grandmother was very pro-black. I would listen to her community stories growing up, making me conscious from a very young age. I participated in a predominantly Black Girl Scout troop in the hood, and that was the beginning of my community service and organizing efforts.
At 15, I performed a spoken word piece for the first time about the trauma the black community experiences, and everyone loved it. I was approached by two girls who asked me to join the black student union at our high school. At first, there was some hesitation, but I gave in and loved it. The next year, I became BSU president and joined YGB, Young Gifted & Black, a black performance art group.
At 17, I started to familiarize myself with impacted families of police brutality. I held a rally in downtown Oakland to address the issues. Elaine Brown, Ms. Yolanda Tindle, Oscar Grants Aunt B, and Uncle Bobby all attended.
Throughout the past couple of years, I created two separate organizations. One to educate the youth on real Afro history, and another to be a call to action for impacted families online and in person.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been easy. It has probably been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Sacrifice my safe space in the name of black liberation. I can’t count on my fingers how many situations have tied into my personal life out of spite. I just keep going. There is a bigger goal in sight. I can’t lose focus.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an activist/organizer. I use my platform to spread awareness about social justice issues affecting the black community. I also model and write spoken words. One of my biggest accomplishments has been the rally I’ve organized for Frederick Holders’ family.
Seeing the community show up was a beautiful experience. Being a young black activist who is passionate and outspoken, and model sets me apart because we are not in these rooms. I’ve busted down the door and invited myself to the conversation because it’s time my voice is heard.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I was younger, we would have family BBQs in the hood.
Everyone would come, including our neighbors. Think of it as a black party but at my house. My dad would cook, and my mom would buy jumpers/mechanical bulls/water tanks and that’s how our summers usually went.
Contact Info:
- Website: Elayjiahwooley.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/elayjiah?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-layjiah-wooley-56b590190
