Raquiba LaBrie
Vice President of Programs
Why do you do what you do?
First, the Bay Area is my home. I grew up in East Oakland raised by a father who launched the first Black Student Union in the country at San Francisco State and a mother who was an actor who performed at the Oakland Ensemble Theater and the American Conservatory Theater here in San Francisco. My upbringing gave me an appreciation of the power of movement building and arts and culture to deliver meaningful change for communities of color and low-income communities. Second, I feel called to play a role in securing the Bay Area’s place in history as a standard-bearer for achieving racial justice and economic inclusion. The Bay Area has all the essential ingredients for testing and scaling new approaches to challenging inequality. We have a proud history of racial justice activism and movement-building. We are home to muscular social justice organizations with national reach. And we have deep community pride. I love playing my part in making our region a beacon for inclusion.
What drew you to the foundation?
Its unapologetic commitment to racial equity.
How would you describe your role?
I guide the work of a star-studded team of changemakers to advance the goals of our People, Place and Power pathways – ensuring that SFF uses all of its tools and networks to advance greater racial equity and economic inclusion in the Bay Area.
What inspires you?
People coming together across lines of difference to make the world more just.