Sheila Bates holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Life Education, along with an associate’s degree in Sociology, emphasizing race, class, and gender, from California State University, Long Beach. Sheila is a trained sexual assault crisis counselor and full spectrum birthworker.

Currently, Sheila serves as the policy coordinator at Black Lives Matter Grassroots, spearheading federal policy initiatives and providing support to local and state chapters.

In her volunteer work with Black Lives Matter – Los Angeles, she leads the policy team for BLM-LA and Black Lives Matter CA, engages in action-oriented initiatives, coordinates efforts in Torrance following the murder of Christopher De’Andre Mitchell, and oversees the healing justice committee.