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The dignity, creativity, brilliance, wellness, well being, trauma care, health, healing, growing, stretching, responsible experimentation, imagination, contradictions, conflicts, frustrations, confusions, discomfort, gut instincts, quirks, anger, rage, whims, complexities, struggles, narratives, love and lives of women of color in leadership matter. It is morally imperative to see, hear and hold women of color in all of who they are. It is critically necessary to respect, honor, trust, defend, and abundantly invest in women of color leadership in all of their magnitude. Its what women of color leaders deserve. This kind of investment is just, equitable and true, and informs sustainable development.

Noel DidlaCo-Steward, Deep South Solidarity Fund

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Women of color are the lifeline of education justice movements- they need to be supported to build power and liberated schools and communities!

Manuela ArciniegasExecutive Director, Communities for Just Schools Fund

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Women of color have always been on the forefront of movements for liberation. We deserve recognition, care, and community to continue doing this vital work for our people.

Andrea ColonProgram Manager, NYC Coalition for Educational Justice

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Women of color live at the intersections of two of the most prevalent oppressions in this country. Race and gender, along with class and ability, fundamentally underline every struggle for liberation. Yet it is people who exist in more than one of these spaces that have been historically excluded from leadership. The more justice movements are lead by WOC, the more likely the movements are to reflect the actual needs of the most marginalized. Only when the most marginalized people are safe will there truly be safety for all.

Nia MorganRISE Campaign Member

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Women of Color are disproportionately impacted by every system in our society and therefore centering their experiences and investing in their leadership is critical to eradicating existing inequities and transforming our communities. Those most connected to the issue must be at the center of problem-solving, solution developing and decision-making.

Sandra LoboExecutive Director, Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition

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Women of Color bring unparalleled resilience, wisdom, and innovation in leadership that grounds our movements in the lived experiences and diverse perspectives that are essential for true equity, justice and liberation. Our leadership not only enriches our strategies but ensures that our actions resonate with the communities.

Natasha CapersCertified Embodied Coach

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Nothing moves without WOC. <3

Maria BautistaLead Trainer, NYU Metro

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WOC leadership is essential in the immigrant rights movement. Our leadership ensures advocacy and legal relief efforts are inclusive and culturally responsive. By centering the voices of those most impacted, we strengthen the movement's ability to challenge and transform unjust immigration policies.

Michelle SencionGovernment Grants Manager, Safe Passage Project

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Women of color have always led our movements, often without recognition or the opportunity to rest, heal, and connect to self. We cannot make the kind of change we want to see if we as WOC are not living into our future world from a place of self-love.

Rose DeStefanoIndependent Consultant

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WOC lead our movements grounded in community with love and respect for all.

Siddhartha SanchezExecutive Director

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WOC leaders matter. Investing in their humanity, dignity, dreams, visions and struggles is a sacred responsibility and necessary for sustainable development of people and places. Investing in the joy, creativity, imagination, wellness and healing of WOC leaders makes our communities and institutions safer, spacious, abundance centered and prepared to be world builders.

Noel DidlaCo-Steward, Deep South Solidarity Fund

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We are critical parts of our communities and decisions are being made about us without us in the room. We are not a monolith-there are so many contributions we can make to civic life from our different positions and cultures. It’s time for more of our ideas and voices to be at the forefront. What has gone before us without us is clearly not working.

Janet Arelis QuezadaFacilitator, Coach

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Women of color are doing much of the heavy lift of building up and holding space for our communities. We need our work to be supported so it may be sustainable for the long haul work of liberation for us and all.

Ericka EchavarriaEmbodied Leadership Coach

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Historically African American and Indigenous women n the US best understand the complexities of all the systems of oppression intersecting to impact their families and communities, and have the most to gain by improving our institutions and processes. It makes sense for them to lead us in finding solutions and healing.

Lethy LirianoExecutive Director, Brides' March

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When WOC are supported to be well, and abundantly resourced, our movements thrive!

Taij MoteelallCo-Founder & Principal, Media Sutra

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Powerful!

Crystal SantiagoHousing Organizer, Mothers On the Move

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Leadership from women of color is crucial in driving our movements forward, as it offers varied perspectives, strength, and a profound understanding of the complex challenges at the intersection of race, gender, and identity. Their leadership enhances our strategies and ensures our efforts are inclusive, representative, and responsive to the needs of the communities we aim to uplift.

Akilah IrvinOrganizer, Mothers On the Move

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The leadership of women of color is essential to our movements because it brings intersectional perspectives, joy, lived experiences, spirituality and transformative strategies that challenge systems of oppression at their roots.

Natasha CapersCertified Embodied Coach

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We need to create spaces where we can see ourselves, holistically.

Grisel OlivoDirector of Development