#Gravi-Member Spotlight: EJ Wallace
We’re back with #Gravi-Member spotlight this week featuring one of our awesome Valley Junction members, Mr. EJ Wallace!
EJ was born in Dayton Ohio, but has lived in Iowa most of his life. He graduated from Roosevelt High School as well as Drake University — so he considers himself an Iowa Native! EJ’s amazing wife is the Music Teacher at Moulton Elementary School on the north side of Des Moines. They have a son, who just started kindergarten this year.
EJ is the Iowa Mobilization Manager for Save the Children Action Network (SCAN). SCAN is the political voice for kids, who's mission is to build bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. Leading into the midterm elections in November, 2018, SCAN has been mobilizing volunteers in Sioux City, Cedar Rapids and Central Iowa to hold candidates accountable to a commitment to increase access to quality, affordable childcare, home visiting, and early childhood education.
In his personal time, EJ and his wife were in a group of martial artists who started a nonprofit, Roots Capoeira de Ouro, that empowers children and families to recognize their physical and creative potential through an Afro-Brazilian martial art. They host free after-school martial arts programming at his wife’s school and community classes at the John R Grubb YMCA.
EJ loves Gravitate because his previous office was expensive, lonely and uninviting. He states, “Gravitate is the kind of place that gives your the opportunity to share a work space with other professionals, providing an excellent networking and supportive environment. Plus, you can't beat the price!”
FUN FACTS ABOUT EJ:
EJ is passionate about social justice and community equity!
He loves dad jokes!
He can wiggle his ears!
His advice for a startup nonprofit is to network, network, network! The nonprofit and funding world is very interconnected in Iowa. He also recommends going through the Evelyn K. Davis Center's nonprofit boot camp. It's an excellent way to get all your ducks in a row, and set your mission on a path of success.
He also shared this piece of advice:
”One of the most powerful resources we all have is the ability to vote and engage in the political process. This has not always been easy for me. But, with practice talking to elected leaders and a commitment to vote, I have helped my community be a better place for children and families.”
