Littleton’s own Ella J. Baker known for her activism and advocacy for human rights is being recognized for her economic impact as a leader and organizer of food and housing cooperatives. The influences from her childhood years in Halifax and Warren Counties have proven to be ingrained in Baker’s style of organizing in both social and economic development to support self-sustainability among people of low wealth and under resourced with a respect for the dignity of the communities affected.

On October 6 at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Ella J. Baker was inducted as the first Unsung Cooperative Hero into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, the cooperatives community’s most prestigious honor. A collaboration formed to recognize this honor in her hometown of Littleton.

The Ella Baker Educational Project of NC, the Carolina Common Enterprise, the Ella Baker Women’s Center, and Lakeland Cultural Arts Center will host a celebratory networking reception and program at the Lakeland Theater on October 28 beginning at 4:00pm. The lobby gallery of the theater will have an Ella Baker exhibit showing important moments in her life, legacy effecting economic and social developments, and a call to action for the cooperative movement.

Executive Director Peter Holloway says “Lakeland Cultural Arts Center is honored to host this celebration of the remarkable life and legacy of Ella Baker.”

Program speakers will include researchers and cooperative movement leaders.

This is a free event open to community leaders and the public that have an interest in learning more about Ella Baker, the Cooperative Movement for guidance about food cooperatives or a housing cooperative as a viable consideration in the delivery of affordable housing as well as other applications of its principals in organizing.

Registration to attend is required: Eventbrite.

After the program guests are encouraged to get dinner at one of the local eateries and return to the theater for Mike Wiley’s compelling solo performance of “Breach of Peace.”

For more information, visit www.Lakelandcac.org.

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