Jakada Imani
Jakada Imani is the Executive Director of Ignite Institute at the Pacific School of Religion. Ignite trains, supports, and inspires spiritually-rooted changemakers who are working to create a world where we all can flourish. Prior to joining PSR, Jakada served for 6 years as Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. After taking over from the center’s founder Van Jones, Jakada led the Center to pass federal legislation (the Green Jobs Act), led the organization in four successful state-wide ballot measure campaigns (No on Prop 6 in 2008, No on Prop 23 in 2010 and Yes on Props 30 and 39 in 2012), and launched the center’s newest effort, a goal to reduce the US incarceration rate by 50% in ten-years. Before becoming Executive Director, Jakada was a lead strategist and chief team member on some of Ella Baker Center’s most high profile campaigns. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Jakada is the father of four powerful and creative young girls.
