This is ECCO
ECCO is a multifaith network of over 50 congregations and the North Shore Labor Council working for a world where everyone belongs, can thrive and has a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
ECCO has worked for over 40 years to address the root causes of the problems our communities face, including…
Affordable Housing
Economic Justice
Criminal Justice
Immigrant Rights
What We Believe
Our liberation is interconnected, and those closest to the pain must lead the fight for change. But to win, we need everyone—organizing across race, class, and faith.
That’s why we train leaders to train others, sparking a movement for justice. Together, we fight for better policies, change hearts and minds, and build the power needed to create lasting change.
Our Community
Essex County, Massachusetts, is a vibrant and diverse community, shaped by generations of people who have built strong, resilient communities. With a rich history of immigration, labor, and grassroots leadership, our region thrives on the strength and solidarity of its people.
We honor the Massachusett, Pawtucket, and Agawam peoples, who have stewarded this land and continue to resist erasure. Their legacy informs ECCO’s commitment to racial and economic justice, as we organize for a future where all who call Essex County home can thrive with dignity and power.
Our Leadership
At ECCO, we believe that those closest to the pain should lead the work, and we cultivate community leadership by centering directly-affected voices in decision-making. Our organizing model empowers local leaders through training and collective action, fostering democratic participation to drive innovative, life-giving solutions to injustice.
Our Board is governed by ECCO leaders that come from the communities we organize.
Board Members
Rev. Andre Bennett, Zion Baptist, Lynn, Co-President
Minister Brenda Womack, Zion Baptist, Lynn, Co-President
Ssezi Mukasa, Bethel AME, Salem, Treasurer
Sam Silverman, Temple Ahavat Achim, Gloucester, Secretary
Ellen Bartlett, Brazilian Community, Beverly
Rev. Holly Brauner, First Church Georgetown, Salem
Martha Curry, UU Church of Greater Lynn, Swampscott
Vianka Jiminez, Immaculate Conception, Salem
Bob Reynolds, North Shore Labor Council, Lynn
Roy Rhodes, Bethel AME, Lynn
ECCO Network
Our network of 59 congregations and the North Shore Labor Council brings many hands to the work and is the heart of ECCO. By working and learning together, we are able to bring about vital changes on the local, county, and state levels.
Our Staff
Rabbi Margie Klein-Ronkin, Executive Director
Rabbi Margie is the founder of Kavod Boston, a multi-ethnic, youth-driven community focused on justice. A Yale graduate and co-editor of Righteous Indignation : A Jewish Call for Justice , she’s been featured in major media and invited to the White House for her faith-based social justice work.
Rev. Bernadette Hickman-Maynard, Deputy Director
Rev. Bernadette, originally from Los Angeles, holds nearly 20 years of experience in educational, cultural, and social justice work across diverse communities. She attended Harvard University and now serves as Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Lynn, MA, advocating for unity and justice across race, ethnicity, and faith.
Colette Lima , Racial Justice Organizer
Colette holds a Master’s in Social Work and brings over a decade of experience in education, restorative justice, and mediation. She is passionate about building relationships that strengthen community power and advance racial and economic equity. As a facilitator and organizer, she helps people come together across lines of difference to navigate conflict, build trust, and take action.
Allen Lipson, Organizer and Development Coordinator
Ordained as a rabbi in May 2024, Allen transitioned from corporate finance to grassroots organizing and fundraising. He has worked with Faith in New York, Brockton Interfaith Community, and UNITE-HERE. A published author on Judaism and economic justice, Allen coordinates donor work and supports grant fundraising.
Alexis Valeriano-Hernandez, Immigrant Organizer
Born in Mexico, Alexis moved to the U.S. at six and has since led union campaigns and supported pro-worker, pro-immigrant legislation. Before joining ECCO as an organizer for immigrant communities and Salem, he initiated a successful union campaign in Minnesota and advocated for immigrant rights in Colorado.