OAKLAND, Calif. – ColorOfChange.org, the nation’s largest African-American online political organization, today announced Rashad Robinson as its new executive director. Effective May 2, Robinson will take over leadership from James Rucker, current executive director. Rucker will continue to serve as Chairman of ColorOfChange.org’s Board of Directors.
Robinson comes to ColorOfChange.org most recently from The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), where he served as Senior Director of Programs, managing all of GLAAD’s advocacy and programmatic work.
“It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I take over the role of executive director of ColorOfChange.org,” said Rashad Robinson. “For well over a decade, I’ve worked to effectively mobilize diverse constituencies to engage and reform their political, cultural and educational institutions, in process, creating lasting change. As a long-time member, I am committed to the work of ColorOfChange.org, and honored to be tapped for this opportunity to lead their talented staff, committed volunteers and active members as we work together to amplify the voice of Black America on the critical issues facing our community.”
“I’m thrilled to have Rashad joining and leading the ColorOfChange.org team,” said James Rucker. “Rashad understands the current day challenges facing Black America, politically and socially. He’s a great strategist and communicator with a track record of holding leaders accountable, and has great insight into what’s necessary for lifting up of the voices of those who have been marginalized.”
Over the past few years, Robinson has become one of Black America’s top social justice leaders. He was recently selected as one of “The Root 100 for 2010,” a list of emerging and influential African Americans. He has appeared in hundreds of news stories, interviews and political discussions on outlets such as ABC, BET, CNN, MSNBC, OWN, The New York Times, Fast Company and NPR. Robinson’s writings have appeared in outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, Newsday and The Huffington Post.
Robinson previously served as Communications Director for the Right to Vote Campaign, a national collaboration of eight major civil rights and voting organizations – including the NAACP, People for the American Way and the ACLU. He also served as National Field Director with the Center for Voting and Democracy. In 2003, he was lead organizer for the Claim Democracy Conference, which featured national civil rights leaders, presidential candidates and congressional leaders.
Robinson’s career has given him insight into how to creatively deal with the current challenges faced by communities across America – both socially and politically. He has served as a thought leader, widely sought-out speaker and strategist on utilizing media to shift public opinion on progressive and civil rights issues and a recognized expert on the impact of popular culture on American Values. As a leading strategist working with Hollywood to change cultural attitudes – Robinson has advised many progressive organizations. His leadership working to shift public opinion also includes utilizing research to target various constituencies on social issues and leading coalitions of organizations and researchers to develop tools and resources to persuade, mobilize, and communicate with African-American and Latino audiences.
In addition, Robinson’s career gives him a deep understanding in how to utilize social media to mobilize progressive forces. In 2008, he pioneered GLAAD’s work in digital and online media and developed leadership trainings for advocates to increase the reach and effectiveness of their social media presence and networks.
With more than 750,000 members, ColorOfChange.org is the nation’s largest African American online political organization.