One Voice PAC Taps Earl L. Plante as new Executive Director
For Immediate Release
June 01, 2009
Emeryville, CA – The Board of Directors of One Voice PAC proudly announces the selection of Earl L. Plante, former Chief Operating Officer of the National Black Justice Coalition, as the organization’s new Executive Director. Mr. Plante’s appointment as Executive Director becomes effective on June 1, 2009.
In a statement, the Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Honorary Chair of One Voice and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus said, “I welcome the Board’s selection of a new Executive Director and am convinced that he has the skills, temperament, drive and focus to take One Voice to the next logical level in its development. I look forward to working with Mr. Plante to mobilize on behalf of its agenda and to ensure our commitment to uniting progressive Americans into One Voice that will effectively fight for the changes our country so desperately needs.”
John Gooding, Chairman of the Board of One Voice PAC, stated that “Mr. Plante brings a wealth of unique experiences to his new position at One Voice. I applaud his strong and long-standing commitment to the progressive mission and work of our organization. I also want to publicly acknowledge the significant efforts of the search committee for their due diligence that made this selection possible.”
Mr. Plante has worked his entire professional life in the non-profit sector as a passionate advocate for civil rights and social and economic justice in various communities through public education, advocacy, and increased visibility; he ultimately envisions a world where all individuals are fully empowered to participate safely, openly, and honestly in family, faith, and community regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.
Mr. Plante most recently worked for The Trevor Project as their Chief Development Officer, which is primarily based in Los Angeles. Earl was chiefly responsible for raising its annual budget of $2.1 million, through individual donors, foundations, corporations, government and special events. Prior to The Trevor Project, he worked for the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a national LGBT nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC where he was the Chief Operating Officer, in which he managed the $1.3 million budget, along with its finances, technology and human resources. Prior to NBJC, Earl was the Development Director at the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) where he administered all aspects of fund raising NMAC’s $7 million budget. Earl has also held previous senior management positions at Union Settlement Association, Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), and Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA). Mr. Plante attended Dartmouth College; he also served on the Founding Board of Queers for Economic Justice and as Board Chairman for the following organizations: the National Black Justice Coalition, One in Ten, NewFest and the Bronx Pride Community Center.
“I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve and join One Voice’s struggle for peace and justice as its new Executive Director, an organization that is truly committed to electing progressive candidates to Congress and fundamentally changing our political system, while empowering communities and individuals who have been silenced and excluded from the political domain,” said Mr. Plante. “I look forward to working with One Voice’s Board and its many loyal supporters to continue to grow upon its visionary foundation and leadership. It is a distinct honor and privilege to join this team and help build upon Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s groundbreaking organizational efforts.”
