Honoring the Legacy and Power of Nonprofit Leaders of Color

By LaDawn Sullivan, Executive Director, BRIC Fund

Something powerful happens when nonprofit leaders of color gather in a space intentionally built for them, by them. You can feel it. The air thickens with hope, history, and hard-earned wisdom. I felt that power deeply as we welcomed the 2025-26 Cohort of the Executive Directors of Color Institute (EDCI) —42 brilliant leaders from across Colorado, coming together not just to learn, but to heal, lead, and build.

These are the architects of tomorrow’s justice. Each brings lived experience, cultural insight, and an unshakable commitment to community. They are the spark behind the progress we see in our neighborhoods, and the shield that absorbs the shocks of an inequitable system still too slow to shift.

“We stand not in shadows, but in the light of those who came before us—bold, brown, Black, colorful, brilliant.”

That’s what I saw in the room. A constellation of leaders—grounded in purpose, ignited by possibility.

There’s something sacred about EDCI spaces. The wisdom is already in the room. It doesn't need to be imported or extracted—it just needs to be recognized, nurtured, and trusted. These leaders are the keepers of the flame of change, and their very presence is a gift to all who are lucky enough to witness their work.

From housing justice to youth empowerment, economic equity to health advocacy—these nonprofit leaders of color are not waiting for permission to lead. As written in the Executive Directors of Color Institute Report:

“We are not waiting to be discovered—we are already leading, informed by legacy and powered by community.”

Our history proves it. Whether quietly organizing in church basements or boldly marching in the streets, our leadership has always existed and always mattered. And now, as we face growing challenges—attacks on DEI, shrinking resources, and the rise of performative equity—these leaders are once again holding the line and pushing the vision forward.

This work is not just about sustainability—it’s about liberation. It’s about creating institutions rooted in cultural truth and built for the long haul.

The BRIC Fund is proud to walk alongside these leaders, to co-invest in their growth, and to protect the spaces that safeguard us. We’re not interested in tinkering around the edges. We’re building something bold—BRIC by BRIC.

To every nonprofit leader of color reading this: You are not alone. You are part of a lineage. And you are the leader we’ve been waiting for.

Join Us in This Work

If you believe in the power of community-led solutions…

If you trust the brilliance of leaders of color…

If you want to see lasting change in our communities…

Invest in the BRIC Fund. Support the Executive Directors of Color Institute. Please help us expand, elevate, and sustain the leadership already transforming Colorado.

Because when we invest in these leaders, we’re not just funding programs—we’re fueling movements.