Born in San Francisco and rooted in Oakland, Rev. Damita Davis-Howard is a fierce advocate for justice, community safety, and equity. A graduate of Castlemont High School and UC San Diego, she has dedicated her life to addressing the root causes of violence, mass incarceration, and systemic inequity.

Rev. Damita brings decades of leadership to the table—from chairing the board of the Alameda Alliance for Health to leading as Political Director at Oakland Rising. She has championed health equity, civic engagement, and youth empowerment while building grassroots power.

Most recently, as the City of Oakland’s Ceasefire Director, she led with compassion and strategy—collaborating across communities to reduce gun violence, improve public trust, and reimagine public safety. She is also a proud mother and grandmother, raising up generations with the same passion for change she lives every day.