What Is ColorOfChange.org?
ColorOfChange.org exists to strengthen Black America's political voice. Our goal is to empower our members - Black Americans and our allies - to make government more responsive to the concerns of Black Americans and to bring about positive political and social change for everyone.
We were heart-broken and outraged by the catastrophe that followed Hurricane Katrina. And we were devastated to realize that no African-American organization or coalition had the capacity to respond on the necessary scale.
Hurricane Katrina made it clear that our lack of a political voice has life-and-death consequences. With no one to speak for them, hundreds of thousands of people - largely Black, poor, and elderly - were left behind to die. But it wasn't just Black folks. Poor, sick, and elderly people of every color were abandoned too. We are not alone, and when we work to protect Black lives and interests, we do the same for all who have been left behind in political silence.
ColorOfChange.org is comprised of Black folks from every economic class, as well as those of every color who seek to help our voices be heard. Our members are united behind a simple, powerful pledge: we will do all we can to make sure all Americans are represented, served, and protected - regardless of race or class.
What We Do
Using the Internet, we enable our members to speak in unison, with an amplified political voice. We keep them informed about the most pressing issues for Black people in America and give them ways to act. We lobby elected representatives using email, the telephone, and face-to-face meetings.
We bring attention to the needs and concerns of Black folks by holding coordinated events in different parts of the country, running TV and print advertisements, and demanding that the news media cover our issues. We also work with other groups - online efforts and other organizations that are doing related work - to magnify our impact.
When we come together and speak with one voice, we cannot be ignored.
ColorOfChange Staff
- Rashad Robinson » serves as Executive Director of ColorOfChange, having joined the organization in May 2011. For well over a decade, Robinson has helped to mobilize communities across the country to create more inclusive cultural and political institutions. A recognized expert on how popular culture impacts American attitudes and values, he has served as a thought leader, widely sought-out speaker and strategist on utilizing media to shift public opinion concerning progressive and civil rights issues. He has appeared in hundreds of news stories, interviews, and political discussions through outlets such as ABC, BET, CNN, MSNBC, OWN, The New York Times, Fast Company, and NPR. In 2010 and 2011, Robinson was selected as one of "The Root 100," a list of emerging and influential African Americans under 45. He has previously held leadership roles at GLAAD, the Right to Vote Campaign, and FairVote.
« hide - Arisha Michelle Hatch » joined ColorOfChange in February 2012 and serves as the Campaign Director. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Arisha left behind a legal career to organize for the Obama Campaign in 2008, and later worked to mobilize the LGBT community during the aftermath of Prop 8 as National Organizing Director at the Courage Campaign. She earned degrees in Economics and Creative Writing from Stanford, as well as a juris doctorate from Santa Clara University.
« hide - Matt Nelson » joined the ColorOfChange.org campaign staff in the spring of 2010 and serves as Organizing Director. As a campaign strategist, organizer and communications expert, Matt has trained and mentored hundreds of community leaders and organizers around the country, and has started four successful small businesses that promote alternative economic structures, including the first fair trade, worker collective café in Milwaukee, WI.
« hide - Lyla Bugara » joined the ColorOfChange team in summer 2012 as a Campaign Fellow and now serves as Campaign Associate/Member Relations Specialist for the organization. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Lyla interned with Human Rights Watch and the Correctional Association of New York. Lyla spends her free time supporting anti-prison expansion work. She holds a BA from Hampshire College in Race, Legal and Prison studies.
« hide - Aimee Castenell » joined ColorOfChange in April 2012 and serves as a Senior Campaign Manager. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Aimee worked for several human rights organizations including the US Human Rights Network, WITNESS, Unicef and Amnesty International USA. She is a human rights activist and writer. Aimee holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Film Studies from Smith College and a Masters in Activism and Social Change from the University of Leeds in the UK.
« hide - Jamar S. Hooks » joined ColorOfChange in June 2012 and serves as a Campaign Manager. Jamar spends his free time working with Displaced Africans and at-risk youth. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Jamar worked for the New York State Legislature on economic development, education and criminal justice reforms. Jamar holds a B.A. in Political Science and Social Policy from Syracuse University and a Master of Social Welfare Policy from Syracuse University.
« hide - Aimee Elizabeth Lang » joined ColorOfChange in January 2012 and serves as Executive Assistant/Special Projects Manager. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Aimee worked for New York University's Women of Color Policy Network, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Ghana's Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, United Nations Development Programme and the Brennan Center for Justice. Aimee holds a B.A. in Africana and Metropolitan Studies from New York University.
« hide - Kim Lehmkuhl » joined the ColorOfChange.org team in July 2011 and serves as Senior Campaign Manager. Kim has previously worked with the Urban Justice Center, Center for Constitutional Rights, and Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. She has a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Southern California, and attended Columbia Law School.
« hide - Johnny Mathias » joined the ColorOfChange team in June 2012 and serves as a Campaign Manager. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Johnny managed numerous electoral campaigns across the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-South and Midwest. In 2008, he worked field for Al Franken in Minnesota until the last ballot was counted. Johnny organized with SEIU in Wisconsin during the historic uprising in Madison in the winter of 2011. He holds a BA in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park with a concentration in African American studies.
« hide - Erika Strong » Erika Strong joined ColorOfChange in November 2012 and serves as the Development Officer and Grant Writer. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Erika worked in program planning, development, and coordination in various areas including criminal justice reform, hunger action, and public health. Erika is an active anti-racist organizer and trainer in NYC. She received a Master of Public Health in Community-Oriented Public Health Practice from the University of Washington in Seattle.
« hide - Blair White » joined ColorOfChange in September 2012 and serves as Operations Manager. Prior to joining ColorOfChange, Blair served as a leader in business at Apple. She previously worked for The Brand X as an Operations Manager, and for The Home Depot as an Inventory Manager. She holds a B.A. in Psychology & Sociology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an MBA.
« hide