2026 Message: Rooted, Ready, and Relentless

Building Capacity, Leadership, and Coalitions to Build Equitable Communities

Dear Friends, Partners, and Changemakers,

As we step boldly into 2026, I’m grounded in a single truth: our strength lies in our roots, our readiness, and our relentless pursuit of justice.

This year, our theme, Rooted, Ready, and Relentless, is both a reflection and a call to action. We are rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors, the resilience of our people, and the lived experience of communities that have survived and thrived despite systemic barriers. We are ready to scale our impact, deepen our coalitions, and build lasting infrastructure for equity. And we must remain relentless—undaunted by resistance, uncompromising in our values, and unwavering in our belief that better is possible.

Recently, while reviewing family archives, I came across my 3rd great-grandfather's 1888 voter registration card. It was a powerful reminder of the opportunity we have to shape this nation and leave it better for future generations. While oppression and racism remain stark realities, so does our agency. We get to choose how we show up—and we choose to show up rooted, ready, and relentless.

Throughout history, Black people in America have responded to times of civil unrest with resilience, innovation, and collective action. From the Civil Rights Movement to the ongoing fight for equity and justice, we continue to build solutions that strengthen our communities and uplift future generations. BRIC is rooted in that same spirit—a commitment to build and sustain solutions that meet the needs of our people and chart a brighter future.

As we look ahead, BRIC is committed to scaling our impact and advancing our mission. Our work this year will center around three strategic pillars:

1. Building Capacity

We will strengthen the backbone of Black-led and equity-focused organizations by investing in talent, operations, and sustainability. From grantmaking to technical assistance, our focus will be on fueling the infrastructure our communities need to thrive, not just survive.

2. Elevating Leadership

We believe leadership lives in every corner of our communities. In 2026, we are doubling down on cultivating bold, values-driven leaders who reflect and respond to the lived realities of those they serve. At the forefront of this work is our Executive Directors of Color Institute, a flagship program designed to nurture, support, and accelerate the leadership journeys of Black and Brown nonprofit executives across Colorado. Whether through convenings or coaching, we are creating space for leaders to rise—and for others to rise with them.

3. Activating Coalitions

Transformation does not happen in silos. That is why we are investing in cross-sector coalitions that bring together organizers, funders, public agencies, faith communities, and grassroots leaders to dream bigger and do better. Together, we are building ecosystems that advance equity, not just programs that treat its symptoms.

Let us be clear: we are not interested in performative change. We are building liberatory systems powered by the people, for the people. That takes urgency. That takes honesty. That takes all of us.

This year, may we be rooted in our legacy, ready for the moment, and relentless in our pursuit of justice. Let us move forward together with clarity, conviction, and community.

In solidarity, Javon Brame Chair, Black Resilience in Colorado Fund