On July 30, EBHO held a graduation ceremony in Oakland to celebrate our Leadership Academy class of 2026. As new EBHO members, our ten graduates now join our network of 400+ individual and organizational members and 120+ Leadership Academy alumni.
Addressing her fellow graduates on their time together, Valedictorian Theresa Coleman shared, “We celebrated each other’s victories, lifted one another through challenges, and became more than classmates—we became a community.” She also thanked Lead Organizer Damion Scott, for investing his time, knowledge, and heart into their success, and “whose patience, wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering belief in each of us challenged us to become stronger advocates and more effective leaders.”
In her remarks, Salutatorian MeLinda LaViene reflected on what it means to be a great leader: “Leadership is not about standing above people, it is about standing beside them.” She stated that Leadership Academy has “entrusted her with the responsibility to speak when others are silent, to build bridges where there are divisions, to advocate for those whose voices are overlooked, and to lead with integrity, humility, and compassion.”
We are incredibly proud of this year’s Leadership Academy Graduates. Thank you!
EBHO would also like to thank Alameda County District 5 Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas and Policy Aide Grayce Honsa representing the office of Oakland City Councilmember At-Large Rowena Brown for joining us for our Mock Lobby Day. We are grateful for The Greenlining Institute and The California Endowment for hosting Leadership Academy in their spaces.