The BLUU Organizing Collective Board (OCB) is thrilled to welcome its newest member, Carla Gates. The OCB recently developed a new leadership structure focusing board leadership across five focus areas. Carla now leads the ACT pillar, the focus area responsible for BLUU’s social justice and activism work, including the BLUU Northside Housing Cooperative Initiative underway in Minneapolis.

“We are thrilled to welcome Carla to the OCB Board,” said Natasha Walker, BLUU’s Developmental Board Chair. “She has been an active member of our Beloved community for years and brings enthusiasm and wisdom. Her passion for social justice will be a great foundation to amplify the work of the ACT pillar.”

Carla is quite passionate about Black liberation and spearheaded many social justice projects where she lives in Maryland.

“I look forward to helping us experience liberation and joy and love in a world that tries to keep us shackled, sad, and isolated,” Carla said.

Spirituality plays an important role in Carla’s life. She is active in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia where she served on the Board of Trustees and as part of the Washington, D.C. BLUU Haven. Carla is a practitioner of Shamanism and nurtures her relationship with the Orisha. Carla is also an avid gardener and herbal medicine learner. 

She wanted to join the OCB because of the opportunity to build the capacity of Black folx. Carla has extensive teaching experience in nonprofits and a nursing background. She was part of her local Mocha Moms board and is currently on the Board of a local organization, the Howard Progressive Project.

Carla lives with her husband and is the proud mom of two children and two cats.

Please reach out to [email protected] if you want more information about joining the Organizing Collective Board.