Color of Change Mission
Color of Change
Color of Change is a nonprofit organization that focuses on racial justice and advocating for the rights of Black people in the United States. It was founded in 2005 by James Rucker and Van Jones, and its mission is to strengthen the political voice of Black Americans and promote policies that can make a difference in their lives.
While Color of Change does not have an official color, its logo features the word "Color" in bold, capitalized letters in a bright, electric blue color. The word "Change" appears in white, all lower-case letters, with the "C" in "Change" starting at the end of the "r" in "Color." The blue color in the logo may represent the energy, power, and vibrancy of the organization's work, while the white may represent the hope and possibility of change.
Color of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization, with more than 7 million members. The organization works to create a more equitable and just society by advocating for policies that affect the lives of Black people and other people of color, such as criminal justice reform, voting rights, and media representation.
Color of Change has been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns and initiatives, such as pressuring corporations to stop advertising on hate speech platforms, pushing for police accountability and reforms, and advocating for the protection of voting rights. The organization has also worked to amplify the voices of Black activists and organizers and to build a network of like-minded individuals and organizations working towards racial justice.
Color of Change's work is centered around the belief that systemic racism and inequality are not inevitable and can be changed through collective action and strategic advocacy. The organization uses a variety of tactics to advance its goals, including online petitions, corporate engagement, grassroots organizing, and media campaigns.
Overall, Color of Change is a powerful force for change in the United States, working tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Black people are heard and that their rights are protected.
Color of Change was founded in response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans in 2005, which exposed deep-seated racial inequalities in the United States. The organization's founders, James Rucker and Van Jones, recognized the power of the internet to mobilize people and create change and saw an opportunity to harness this power to advance racial justice.
Since its founding, Color of Change has played a key role in many important moments in the struggle for racial justice in the United States, including the Black Lives Matter movement, the fight for immigrant rights, and the campaign to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. The organization has also been instrumental in pushing for systemic change within institutions such as the criminal justice system and the media.
Color of Change's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership, the Impact Award from the National Urban League, and the Advocacy Award from the United Nations Foundation. The organization has also been featured in a wide range of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and NPR.
Overall, Color of Change is a dynamic and influential organization that is making a real difference in the fight for racial justice in the United States. Its work is a testament to the power of collective action and the potential of the internet to create positive change in the world.
Color of Change has a multifaceted approach to promoting racial justice and equity. One of its core strategies is to hold corporations and other powerful entities accountable for their actions, particularly when they perpetuate racism and discrimination. The organization has successfully campaigned for major corporations like Coca-Cola, Facebook, and Fox News to change their policies and practices in ways that are more inclusive and respectful of Black people and other marginalized communities.
In addition to its corporate accountability work, Color of Change also engages in grassroots organizing, using online platforms to mobilize its members and allies to take action on important issues. This includes online petitions, social media campaigns, and other forms of digital advocacy. The organization also works to build alliances with other social justice organizations and to support the leadership of Black activists and organizers across the country.
Another key aspect of Color of Change's work is its efforts to shift the narrative around race and racism in the media. The organization advocates for more accurate and nuanced portrayals of Black people and other people of color in the media, and it works to hold media outlets accountable when they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases. Color of Change has also launched its own media platforms, including a podcast and a video series, to help tell the stories of Black people and other marginalized communities in their own voices.
Overall, Color of Change's approach to promoting racial justice is comprehensive and strategic, combining corporate accountability, grassroots organizing, media advocacy, and more to create lasting change in the United States.
Color of Change has also been instrumental in advocating for voting rights and increasing voter turnout among Black people and other marginalized communities. The organization has worked to challenge voter suppression efforts, push for fair electoral maps, and promote policies that make it easier for people to vote, such as early voting and automatic voter registration.
During the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Color of Change launched a campaign called "Black Joy Sunday," which encouraged Black people to celebrate and honor their history and culture while also highlighting the importance of voting. The organization also partnered with a wide range of other organizations to ensure that voter suppression tactics were exposed and defeated, and that marginalized communities had the resources and support they needed to participate in the democratic process.
Color of Change's work on voting rights and voter turnout is critical for promoting racial justice and equity in the United States. By helping to ensure that all voices are heard in the political process, the organization is working to build a more inclusive and just society for everyone.
Color of Change has also been active in advocating for criminal justice reform and holding law enforcement accountable for their actions. The organization has launched campaigns to end police brutality and misconduct, support the rights of those who have been wrongfully convicted or imprisoned, and advocate for changes in sentencing and bail practices that disproportionately impact Black people and other marginalized communities.
One of Color of Change's most high-profile campaigns in this area was its work in response to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in May 2020. The organization launched a petition calling for the officers involved to be charged and prosecuted, and it also organized protests and rallies across the country to demand justice for Floyd and others who have been killed by police violence.
In addition to its work on criminal justice reform, Color of Change has also been active in advocating for immigrant rights and supporting the leadership of immigrant communities. The organization has worked to challenge anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric, and to support policies that provide a pathway to citizenship and protect the rights of immigrant workers and families.
Overall, Color of Change's work on criminal justice reform and immigrant rights is a critical part of its efforts to promote racial justice and equity in the United States. By addressing systemic injustices in these areas, the organization is working to build a more just and equitable society for everyone.
Color of Change also recognizes the importance of economic justice and the role that economic inequality plays in perpetuating racial disparities in the United States. The organization has launched campaigns to promote fair wages and working conditions for low-wage workers, advocate for policies that address income inequality, and support the economic empowerment of Black entrepreneurs and business owners.
One of Color of Change's key campaigns in this area is its work to end the practice of cash bail, which disproportionately impacts low-income people and people of color. The organization has launched a number of initiatives to challenge this practice, including partnering with local organizations to provide bail assistance to those in need and advocating for policy changes at the local and state level.
Color of Change also recognizes the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and promoting economic development in Black communities. The organization has launched a number of initiatives to support Black entrepreneurs and business owners, including a directory of Black-owned businesses and a platform to help connect Black entrepreneurs with resources and support.
Overall, Color of Change's work on economic justice is an important part of its efforts to promote racial justice and equity in the United States. By addressing systemic inequalities in the economy, the organization is working to build a more just and equitable society for everyone.
Color of Change has also been active in advocating for environmental justice and addressing the disproportionate impact of environmental pollution and climate change on Black people and other marginalized communities. The organization has launched campaigns to challenge the harmful practices of corporations that contribute to environmental degradation and pollution, and to promote policies that protect the health and well-being of communities that are most impacted by environmental hazards.
One of Color of Change's key campaigns in this area is its work to address the impact of climate change on Black communities. The organization recognizes that climate change disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color, and that solutions to climate change must be grounded in racial and economic justice. The organization has advocated for policies that prioritize the needs of frontline communities in the transition to a clean energy economy, and it has also launched initiatives to support the leadership of Black climate activists and organizers.
Color of Change also recognizes the importance of addressing the impact of environmental racism on Black communities. The organization has launched campaigns to challenge the siting of hazardous waste facilities and other polluting industries in communities of color, and to advocate for policies that address the legacy of environmental racism and promote environmental justice for all communities.
Overall, Color of Change's work on environmental justice is an important part of its efforts to promote racial justice and equity in the United States. By addressing systemic environmental injustices, the organization is working to build a more just and equitable society for everyone.
In addition to its advocacy work, Color of Change also provides resources and support for Black people and other marginalized communities who are impacted by racism, discrimination, and injustice. The organization has launched a number of initiatives to support mental health and wellness for Black people, including a partnership with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to provide free virtual therapy sessions for Black people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Color of Change also provides a platform for people to take action on a wide range of issues related to racial justice and equity. The organization's website provides information and resources on a range of topics, including criminal justice reform, voting rights, economic justice, and environmental justice. The organization also provides a range of tools and resources for people to take action, including petitions, letter-writing campaigns, and opportunities to contact elected officials.
Finally, Color of Change is committed to building a more inclusive and diverse movement for racial justice. The organization recognizes the importance of centering the leadership of Black people and other people of color in the fight for racial justice, and it has launched a number of initiatives to support and empower Black organizers and activists. The organization also recognizes the importance of building alliances with other movements and organizations that are working towards a more just and equitable society for all.
Overall, Color of Change's work is critical for promoting racial justice and equity in the United States. The organization's advocacy, organizing, and support work is helping to build a more just and equitable society for everyone, and its commitment to centering the leadership of Black people and other people of color is critical for ensuring that the movement for racial justice is truly inclusive and representative of all communities.