Black Lives Matter Grassroots

Sheila Bates (she/her/hers)

“Our tax dollars are going to institution such as policing and prisons which kill, harm, and abuse our people when those tax dollars should be going to support the needs of community that prevents harm in the first place.”

Sheila Bates is a graduate of California State University Long Beach, with a bachelor’s degree in both Child Development and Family Life Education and an associate’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis on race, class, and gender.

Sheila Bates is the Policy Coordinator for Black Lives Matter Grassroots where they use policy as one tool to advance Black liberation. Sheila leads on federal policy and supports the chapters in their formation with their local work. She started as a volunteer organizer with Black Lives Matter- Los Angeles. Where she now serves in leadership engaging in policy work, organizing, direct action, supporting families, and healing justice.