How the Women of Color Summit Began

In 2018, a group of women of color from Rochester and Buffalo broke barriers in their careers. After facing significant challenges in their pursuit of leadership positions, they are now leading a movement to empower other women of color.

Organizer Sara Taylor says she and other women of color applied for CEO and executive director positions. However, they say that although they are highly qualified, they face a common obstacle: being women of color.

“We knew our journey had to be different,” said Taylor, community liaison and training specialist at Eleversity. “From bringing in an executive coach, to having high-level mock interviews, to learning every aspect of nonprofit leadership operations, the fundraiser took all of these necessary steps before that we were applying for the positions.”

Despite their efforts, many were rejected. Taylor says one interim CEO even received a “no.” These examples of what she calls systemic barriers are documented by the Building Movement Project, which aims for social change.

“I decided to write our story,” Taylor said. “Asian, Indigenous, Native American, Latina and other African American women sisters said, ‘Me too.’”

In 2019, they held their first summit. The Women of Color Summit, now in its fifth year, brings together allies, men and women of all races working to drive change.

“We need allies, not just us (who) are of color, to talk about the challenges,” Taylor said. “But really, how do we find solutions?”

The summit attracts more than 200 attendees each year and focuses on mentoring, allyship, imposter syndrome, workplace microaggressions and the pay gap. According to the United States Census Bureau, black or African-American women earned about 63 cents for every 79 cents that white women would have earned.

“Our theme this year is ‘Recognizing Our Influence, the Essence of Success,’” Taylor said. “We must be willing to look at internal boards. How do boards make decisions about who they value or who they think is qualified?”

The summit will be held June 5-6 in Niagara Falls, with virtual sessions continuing into July.

For tickets to the summit, click here.