ELISHA GREENWELL
Elisha Greenwell, the founder of the black joy parade, is a northern California native with a background in marketing. throughout her 18-year marketing career, she has developed community-centric brand strategies for renowned companies such as nike, target, intel, Starbucks, and Verizon. in January 2017, after returning to Oakland following a six-year absence, Elisha had a realization about the lack of large-scale celebratory experiences for the black community. this led her to organize the first community meeting on august 31, 2017, which eventually gave birth to the black joy parade.
The Black Joy Parade, a cherished nonprofit organization based in Oakland, is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the Black experience through various activities that honor history, culture, and future. The annual parade, now in its 6th iteration, has gained national acclaim and serves as a vibrant display of positivity, empowerment, inspiration, and the outward expression of Black happiness, creativity, and voices. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Joy Parade has demonstrated resilience and unwavering energy, reflecting the commitment of Oakland and the Bay Area to community and solidarity.
