Dear Members, Partners, Colleagues, and Friends,
If you have interacted with EBHO in any way over the past seven years, you have likely had the great fortune to meet Kiki Poe. I am so grateful to my predecessor for inviting such a skilled, passionate, and radiant leader onto the team.
Kiki represents the very best of EBHO. Her deep commitment to social justice, meaningful community representation, and operational excellence are apparent in everything she does. I could not have stepped into the executive director role in 2023 with the confidence and hopes for success I had without her guidance, trust, and support.
Her last day with EBHO will be this Friday, February 27th. Please join me in thanking Kiki for her service to EBHO over the past seven years and wishing her the absolute best in what’s to come. You can keep in touch with Kiki via LinkedIn.
Kiki is a permanent part of the EBHO family, and I look forward to her continued support, partnership, and friendship; I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Be well,
— Lindsay Haddix, Executive Director
Hear from Kiki
It’s hard to put into words what this chapter has meant to me. I knew EBHO was a special place, but I could not have imagined just how impactful it would be in my life. I have grown tremendously over the years because of the trust extended to me. It stretched me and strengthened me in ways I will always carry forward.
I have learned from this incredible team, from your brilliance, your dedication, and your care. Each of you has shaped me, and I am deeply grateful. As a queer woman of color from Oakland, spaces where I can lead authentically and contribute meaningfully are never something I take for granted. I am thankful for the opportunity to have done both here.
While I close this chapter as EBHO staff, I am excited to continue this meaningful work for housing justice as a member. I look forward to seeing you on the other side at a committee meeting or at the Affordable Housing Month Kickoff.
Hear from Team EBHO
“Words seem to fall short of expressing how integral Kiki Poe has been to EBHO’s success over the seven years she has served with us. Kiki has been the rock of our operations since joining EBHO in 2018. In the six years that I have known Kiki her growth has been amazing. Her stalwart leadership and willingness to lend her expertise and talents (and there are so many) whenever needed, has been a hallmark of her tenure with EBHO. Kiki’s skills in coordination and planning of events and her knowledge of logistics (from food caterers and venues to ambience to acoustics), will never be matched. But it is her personality, her character, and smile that remains the long-lasting impression. I will miss her dearly. As a colleague, a thought partner, and a “let me run this by” go-to, but most of all, as a friend. We, the EBHO Nation, wish her well in her next endeavor. We were so blessed to have her.”
– William Goodwin, EBHO Board President
“When we hired Kiki, I couldn’t believe we had found someone so competent and yet so cool to help run EBHO. Kiki manages to be both compassionate and no-nonsense; the perfect combination for an organization that needs to run well so we can fight for housing justice. From the unglamorous but necessary work of the Membership Drive, to her wonderful speaking skills at events that she planned, Kiki did it all with grace and commitment. I adored working with Kiki and while I’m sad her EBHO era is coming to a close, I know she’ll bring both light and power wherever she goes.”
– Gloria Bruce, Former EBHO Executive Director
“Kiki is incredibly determined, professional, and passionate about the work at EBHO. I will always appreciate her advocacy for the Oakland community, as well as her focus on mental health and support for the Black staff members at EBHO. I will be forever grateful for the personal and professional wisdom Kiki has shared with me – showing me how to advocate for myself and others in the professional world. Kiki will be sorely missed, and I know she will be amazing in her next role.”
– Damion Scott, EBHO Lead Organizer
“I’m so grateful to not only know Kiki as an amazing supervisor but as someone who is inspirational, passionate, considerate, astute, and so much more! I am sad to no longer have her as part of our team but I am so excited for her next professional adventure as no matter where she goes, I know that Kiki will continue to brighten a space with her knowledge and experiences. I admire how she holds self-care and mental health as one of the most important things to practice in both your everyday professional and personal life. She’s taught me the necessity of going on an afternoon stroll, taking a break after finishing a long-term project, and has empowered me to use my voice. Hence, I am indebted to Kiki for her constant support, outspoken encouragement, and kindness she offers in both times of great joy and tough challenges. For all of it, thanks Kiki!”
– Briseida Ayala Rodriguez, EBHO Operations Associate
“Kiki has been one of the most influential people in my life. It’s truly been a privilege to have her as a boss and mentor over the past three years. I hope that all young women of color have the opportunity to work under someone like Kiki; I hope to pay it forward and be that for someone else someday. I have always admired Kiki’s confidence, compassion, and sense of humor. Most of all, I admire how she bravely and unapologetically shows up as her authentic self every day, and challenges us all to do the same. Thank you, Kiki!”
– Kate Young, EBHO Communications Manager
