About Us

BAY-Peace began as an independent social justice youth leadership program in 2007. When we started our goal was to mobilize Oakland youth as part of the “truth in recruiting” movement to counter aggressive military recruitment that targets low income youth of color. Over time, we've broadened our focus to respond to the many critical issues raised by youth in the community, including police brutality, gentrification, mass deportations and incarceration, etc. We have continued to expand our analysis of structural violence and institutional racism to expose the many interconnected forms of militarism that disproportionately impact youth of color through wars at home as well as abroad.

Since we first started, our programs have expanded every year! We now train 40 youth every year through our Learning Through Internships, Peace in Action and Summer Intensive training programs. Our youth interns develop vocational skills in community organizing, facilitation, non-profit administration and liberation arts performance. In addition to our interns, we reach hundreds of other students each year through our youth-led workshops! We also have gone from two volunteer staff members to two full-time paid staff members to help sustain our programs.

We appreciate the support of our community to keep us growing!