Today we’d like to introduce you to Lamia El-Sadek.
Lamia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of Dignity and Power Now, a grassroots organization based in Los Angeles, since 2017. In my role, I oversee the organization’s operational structure and strategic direction through development opportunities, policy planning, communications, and community building. I began my career in business development and finance, but after working as a regional finance manager for a large for-profit corporation, I decided to pursue my true passion and work in the nonprofit sector.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Gender and cultural stereotypes and stigmas to political turmoil, wars and emergency situations.
Please tell us about Dignity and Power Now.
Dignity and Power Now (DPN) is a Los Angeles based grassroots organization founded in 2012 that fights for the dignity and power of all incarcerated people, their families, and communities. Our mission is to build a Black and Brown led abolitionist movement rooted in community power towards the goal of achieving transformative justice and healing justice for all incarcerated people, their families, and communities.
Grounded in the principles of abolition, healing justice, and transformative justice, we have multiple programs centered around activism, health and wellness, and leadership building, including a coalition to end sheriff violence, a coalition to stop jail construction, an arts and wellness collective, a rapid response team of healers, a leadership institute for high school-aged youth affected by incarceration, a leadership institute for people coming home from prison, a reentry program inside Soledad State Prison, and an influential media department. Immediate campaign focuses include establishing comprehensive and effective civilian oversight of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and allocating the money from LA County’s 3.5 billion dollar jail plan into mental health diversion programs and community resources.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My mother walking me home from school.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3655 South Grand Avenue, #240, LA, CA, 90007
- Website: www.dignityandpowernow.org
- Email: info@dignityandpowernow.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dignityandpowernow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dignityandpowernow
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/PowerDignity
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