Chana Wiley is a community activist, Board member for Ohio Families Unite Against Police Brutality (OFUAPB), Campaign Director for Ohio Families Unite for Political Action and Change (OFUPAC), and serves as a Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Columbus Safety Collective Campaign (CSCC). Chana has been working in social justice as an activist since the death of her brother Jaron Thomas in January 2017, at the hands of Columbus Police while in a mental health crisis. The last 8 years of advocacy, activism,testimony, and policy work have been a huge part of her career.
Chana’s current role, as Co-Chair of the CSCC, lets her display her advocacy in the community, as her brother is a catalyst for the campaign. The CSCC is her top priority, The campaign is a wonderful example of putting the power in the people’s hands. Showing the community that there is power in organizing, and working to create the ballot initiative, collecting the signatures to qualify, shows residents that they can vote for what they want and reimagine public safety. She wants to stop state violence against our community, especially the BIPOC communities. Working to create safer policies is a true passion, and connecting the community to the causes that are vitally important for the safety of our residents comes at no cost, as she’s dedicated to serve residents in the work she is involved in. She often speaks at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, community events, and professional panels. Chana is committed to ensuring safer policies and helping CSCC win at the ballot.