What We Can Learn From Ella Baker: Leadership through collaboration, conviction, and quiet courage

When we think of the American civil rights movement, names like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X often come to mind. Yet behind many of those iconic moments stood a woman whose influence shaped the very foundation of grassroots activism: Ella Baker.

Baker was not the face of the movement. She didn’t seek headlines or applause. Instead, she led by listening, empowering, and organising. Her leadership was steady, strategic and profoundly democratic, reminding us that lasting change often begins not with a speech, but with a conversation.

So what can we learn from the woman who taught a generation that strong people do not need strong leaders?

Ella Baker, Civil Rights and Human Rights Activist

Who was Ella Baker?

Born in 1903 in Norfolk, Virginia, Ella Baker grew up in a family that valued education, equality and community. Her grandmother, once enslaved, shared stories of resistance that shaped Baker’s lifelong commitment to justice.

After graduating as valedictorian from Shaw University in 1927, she moved to New York during the Harlem Renaissance. There, she immersed herself in activism, working on issues from labour rights to racial equality.

Over her six-decade career, Baker worked with some of the most influential organisations in American history, including the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Her impact was enormous, even if her name was not widely known.

Where she excelled

Ella Baker’s leadership was rooted in humility, inclusion and an unshakeable belief in the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change.

1. Empowering others to lead

Baker rejected the idea of the charismatic, top-down leader. She believed true progress came from collective action. Through her work with young activists in the SNCC, she encouraged a new model of leadership based on shared responsibility and community empowerment.

2. Leading through listening

While others gave rousing speeches, Baker spent her time asking questions, hearing voices that were rarely heard, and ensuring everyone felt ownership of the movement. She led by building consensus and trust, proving that influence is not about volume, but about value.

3. Vision grounded in values

Baker’s activism was not driven by personal ambition, but by principle. She championed non-violence, equality and grassroots organisation. Her belief that “strong people do not need strong leaders” remains one of the most enduring leadership lessons of all.

Ella Baker speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, August 1964

Where it wasn't perfect

Ella Baker’s leadership was not without challenges. Her quiet style often meant she was overshadowed, and her refusal to play politics created tension with more hierarchical organisations.

1. Lack of visibility

Because she worked behind the scenes, Baker never received the recognition she deserved during her lifetime. Her story reminds us that recognition and impact do not always go hand in hand.

2. Frustration with authority structures

Baker’s democratic approach sometimes clashed with male-dominated organisations. Her insistence on equality could be seen as disruptive, even when her ideas were visionary.

3. Relentless dedication

Baker gave much of her life to the movement, often at the expense of personal rest and comfort. Her commitment was her strength, but it came at a cost that modern leaders can learn to balance.

Leadership lessons we can apply today

Ella Baker’s story challenges the myth that leadership must be loud, dominant or front-facing. She showed that influence built quietly can last for generations.

1. Leadership is about enabling, not owning

The best leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. Baker’s collaborative model empowered others to find their voice and take action.

2. Listening is a leadership skill

In a world that celebrates the loudest voices, Baker’s legacy reminds us that listening is often the most powerful form of leadership.

3. Change begins from the ground up

Baker’s belief in grassroots organisation demonstrates that real progress comes when everyone feels part of the solution. Great leaders don’t just lead movements, they build communities.

Final thought

Ella Baker may not have always had the microphone, but her influence amplified thousands of others. She taught us that leadership is not about being at the front, but about lifting others up beside you.

So here’s your reflection: Are you leading for recognition, or to help others rise?

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