THE OHIO INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

Our mission is to achieve equity and social justice for racial and ethnic communities across Ohio.
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ABOUT US

The Ohio Institute for Communities of Color (OhioICC) is a statewide organization working to dismantle systemic barriers that harm racial and ethnic communities across Ohio. In a political climate marked by rising white supremacy, heightened deportation threats, racialized violence, and policies that undermine civil and human rights, OhioICC serves as a unifying force to protect and empower marginalized communities.

We build collective power by bringing together community leaders, grassroots organizers, advocates, and institutions committed to justice. Founded in 2020 during a period of deep social division and escalating attacks on immigrant, Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, OhioICC was created to ensure that impacted communities have a strong, coordinated voice in shaping Ohio’s future.

The Institute works across sectors—health, housing, economic development, education, environment, and civic engagement—to advance equitable policy reforms, strengthen community leadership, and amplify grassroots voices that are too often silenced.

VISION

OhioICC envisions an Ohio where all communities of color live free from systemic racism, state-sanctioned violence, deportation fears, and white supremacist threats—an Ohio where every person has dignity, safety, and the power to shape decisions that impact their lives.

We imagine a state where equity is embedded in every system, where democratic participation is protected, and where communities of color thrive without fear, discrimination, or exclusion.

STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES

1. Build Collective Power

We unite organizations across Ohio to confront threats such as deportation, white supremacist activity, and discriminatory laws—strengthening coalitions, protecting civil rights, and coordinating rapid responses during crises.

2. Advance Equitable Policies

We challenge policies that fuel racial profiling, voter suppression, and civil rights violations, and we work with policymakers to advance a statewide racial equity agenda.

3. Foster Inclusive Leadership

We develop and support emerging leaders of color, expand civic participation, and strengthen democratic engagement across Ohio.

4. Amplify Grassroots Voices

We uplift stories of those impacted by racism, deportation, and state violence, supporting organizers and ensuring lived experience shapes public understanding and advocacy.

5. Strengthen Organizational Infrastructure

We build long-term stability through partnerships, transparent practices, and community-rooted systems that sustain resilience and collective action.

CORE COMMITMENTS

RACIAL EQUITY & JUSTICE

We confront systemic racism and policies that harm communities of color.

COMMUNITY-LED LEADERSHIP

Those most impacted guide our strategies, priorities, and solutions.

CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION

We work across health, housing, education, immigration, environment, and democracy to advance lasting change.

ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

We uphold ethical governance and defend civil and human rights in a shifting political landscape.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

OhioICC empowers communities of color by building collective power, advancing equitable policies, and confronting systemic racism, white supremacy, and state-driven harm—including deportation, voter suppression, and civil rights violations. We ensure communities are protected in moments of crisis and equipped to lead long-term, transformative change.

OUR JOURNEY TOWARD RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

OhioICC supports and uplifts the diverse racial, ethnic, immigrant, and Indigenous communities that shape Ohio’s past, present, and future. We recognize the unique histories, contributions, and challenges each community faces—and we work to advance equity, dignity, and justice for all.

HOUSING JUSTICE

Members of people of color bear a more significant burden of the health problems that result from higher exposure to waste and pollution. Neighborhoods, which are disinvested, are burdened with many hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of environmental pollution and foul odors that lower the quality of life. 

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EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE

Many working families struggle to make ends meet, and many lack the support to help them achieve their financial goals. The effectiveness of public and private work supports in the context of challenges facing low-income families, such as employment instability, low wages, and the prevalence of jobs with nonstandard work hours and working conditions.

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ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM

The environment may be taken to encompass all external factors and conditions that affect people’s lives.  The definition may be broad and include social aspects from a health perspective. Still, often it is taken to have a more restricted meaning of the chemical, biological and physical agents that impinge on health.

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ECONOMIC INEQUITY

Over the years, economic inequality, in particular, has become even more prominent as the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer. There are various types of economic inequality, most notably measured using the distribution of income and the distribution of wealth.

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HEALTH JUSTICE

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY, RISING TOGETHER

ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES

Ohio’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities include long-standing residents and recent refugees. Despite cultural and economic contributions, they continue to face exclusionary policies, discrimination, and modern hate-based violence.

BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

Black Ohioans have shaped the state since its founding while facing centuries of systemic racism and exclusion. These historical injustices continue to influence present-day inequities in health, housing, and opportunity.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Indigenous nations lived in Ohio for thousands of years before being forcibly displaced. Their histories, cultures, and resilience remain foundational understanding Ohio’s identity.

LATINO AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES

Latino and Hispanic Ohioans enrich every part of the state, from industry to culture. Many continue to face discrimination, language barriers, and gaps in healthcare and economic opportunity.

NEW AMERICAN AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

Refugees and immigrants from around the world have built vibrant communities in Ohio. Many encounter challenges including language access, limited healthcare, and fear of discrimination or immigration enforcement.

OHIOICC IS A NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION OF DIVERSE ETHNIC AND RACIAL GROUPS (AFRICAN AMERICAN, ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER, BLACK, LATINX, AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE) AND THE COMMUNITY-BASED AND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT THEM.

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