Color of Change

Color of Change

Color of Change is a US-based civil rights advocacy organization founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to mobilize African American voters and influence corporate and political accountability. The group has engaged in digital organizing, electoral campaigns, corporate boycotts, and policy advocacy in contexts involving criminal justice, media representation, and voting rights. It has been associated with coalitions that include civil rights groups, labor unions, and technology activists in campaigns intersecting with prominent figures, institutions, and legal battles.

History

Color of Change was founded in 2005 following the response to Hurricane Katrina and criticism of institutions such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and media coverage including CNN and The New York Times. Early organizers built networks inspired by organizing models used by MoveOn.org and ACORN, and drew comparison to historic civil rights mobilizations like those led by NAACP and Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Leadership shifts involved figures who had worked with organizations such as Amnesty International USA, Human Rights Watch, and Open Society Foundations. The group’s evolution paralleled digital-era campaigns run by entities like Change.org, Avaaz, and activist coalitions arising after events such as the Trayvon Martin shooting and the Ferguson unrest. Color of Change expanded its focus amid national controversies including litigation involving Department of Justice investigations, debates around Stop-and-Frisk, and high-profile police killings that prompted movements like Black Lives Matter.

Mission and Programs

The organization states goals tied to racial justice, civic participation, and corporate accountability, aligning programmatically with efforts by ACLU, Brennan Center for Justice, Center for American Progress, and other advocacy groups. Programs have targeted reform of law enforcement practices associated with cases involving the Eric Garner case, the Michael Brown shooting, and federal prosecutions connected to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Color of Change has invested in digital organizing infrastructure similar to that used by Democratic National Committee campaigns, partnered with civic technology efforts from groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and engaged in voter protection activities parallel to initiatives by Vote.org, Fair Fight Action, and League of Women Voters. Its communications work interacts with media institutions including The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and NBC News.

Campaigns and Impact

The group has run campaigns pressuring companies, institutions, and public officials: high-profile actions targeted corporations such as Moody's Corporation, Amazon (company), Bank of America, Equifax, and media entities like Gannett and ViacomCBS. Color of Change organized petitions and ad buys in moments connected to celebrity controversies involving figures like Donald Sterling, Harvey Weinstein, and corporate responses to the George Floyd protests. Its campaigns intersected with policy debates in statehouses and courts including litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States and legislative efforts in states such as Georgia (U.S. state), Florida, and California. The organization claims impact on corporate governance moves, settlements in civil rights suits, and public discourse, collaborating with allies such as National Urban League, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Leading Black Democrats, and progressive funders including Tides Foundation and Ford Foundation.

Organization and Funding

Color of Change operates as a nonprofit structured with a senior leadership team and boards comparable to governance seen at Southern Poverty Law Center and Human Rights Campaign. Funding sources have included grants and donations from institutions like Open Society Foundations, philanthropic vehicles related to Ford Foundation, and individual contributions similar to those tracked by watchdogs such as Charity Navigator and GuideStar. The group has engaged consultants and legal partners from firms with experience before entities like the Federal Communications Commission and courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. It has coordinated with political organizations, progressive political action committees, and civic coalitions previously associated with actors like EMILY's List and the Democratic National Committee.

Criticism and Controversies

Color of Change has faced scrutiny from conservative organizations such as Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and commentators in media outlets including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, which have questioned its tactics, funding, and influence on corporate decisions. Critics have compared its methods to other advocacy campaigns run by groups like MoveOn.org and have raised concerns in relation to free speech debates litigated at the Supreme Court of the United States. Internal critiques and external watchdogs including Center for Public Integrity and reporting by ProPublica and The New York Times have examined its spending and campaign strategy. Controversies have also involved corporate pushback from firms such as Walmart and Google (Alphabet Inc.), and disputes about priorities voiced by organizations like NAACP and National Action Network.

Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States