Rooted in Community, Rising Together
The Ohio Institute for Communities of Color (OhioICC) is a statewide organization dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers that harm racial and ethnic communities. In a climate of rising white supremacy, deportation threats, remigration and attacks on civil and human rights, OhioICC serves as a unifying force for protection, advocacy, and empowerment.
Founded in 2020, OhioICC brings together grassroots leaders, community organizations, and partners across health, housing, education, environment, and economic justice to build collective power and amplify voices that are too often silenced.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Institute shall be to achieve equity, health, and social justice. To enhance the health and well-being of the state through the combined efforts of individuals, organizations, professionals, and community leaders, the Institute is a collective voice for communities and a conduit for information and resources.
OUR PURPOSE
OhioICC protects and empowers communities of color across Ohio 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 work to ensure communities are defended in moments of crisis and equipped to lead lasting, transformative change.
OUR VISION
OhioICC envisions an Ohio where communities of color live free from systemic racism, state violence, deportation fears, and white supremacist threats. We strive for a state where every person has dignity, safety, and real power in the decisions that shape their lives.
We imagine an Ohio where equity is built into every system, democracy is protected, and all communities of color can thrive without fear or discrimination.
STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES
1. Build Collective Power
2. Advance Equitable Policies
We challenge policies that promote racial profiling, voter suppression, and civil rights violations. We shape a racial equity agenda and work with policymakers to prevent the criminalization of communities of color.
3. Foster Inclusive Leadership
We prepare emerging leaders to navigate racialized political environments, expand civic participation, and defend democratic rights statewide.
4. Amplify Grassroots Voices
We uplift stories of those impacted by deportation, racial violence, and discriminatory policing. We support organizers, reshape harmful narratives, and ensure lived experience guides public dialogue.
5. Strengthen Organizational Infrastructure
We build long-term stability, deepen partnerships, and ensure transparent, community-rooted practices that sustain resilience and collective action.
CORE COMMITMENTS
PURPOSE STATEMENT
OhioICC protects and empowers communities of color across Ohio 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 work to ensure communities are defended in moments of crisis and equipped to lead lasting, transformative change.
STRATEGIC ACTION STEPS TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE, MISSION & VISION
1. Build Collective Power Through Coalition Development
- Identify and engage community-based organizations led by and serving communities of color across Ohio.
- Establish a statewide coalition that reflects racial, geographic, cultural, and sector diversity.
- Convene regular strategy sessions to align goals, share resources, and coordinate collective action—especially during moments of political or civil rights threats.
- Develop a shared agenda and policy platform informed by coalition members and rooted in community priorities.
2. Advance Equitable Policy Reforms
- Serve as a clearinghouse for policy information, tracking state and local actions across health, education, housing, environment, immigration, criminal justice, and democracy.
- Develop and promote a legislative agenda aimed at dismantling structural racism, counteracting discriminatory policies, and defending civil and human rights.
- Engage in direct policy advocacy with state legislators, agencies, and local officials to advance equity and oppose policies rooted in white supremacy or targeting immigrant and mixed-status families.
- Train community leaders to understand the policy process, engage elected officials, monitor legislation, and mobilize constituents.
3. Foster Inclusive Leadership
- Launch a statewide leadership development institute for emerging leaders of color, equipping them to navigate and lead in a polarized political climate.
- Create mentorship pipelines connecting grassroots advocates with established civic, legal, and community leaders.
- Promote civic engagement by supporting voter education, turnout, and protection initiatives—particularly in communities facing suppression or intimidation.
4. Amplify Grassroots Voices
- Invest in community storytelling and narrative change to elevate lived experiences and counter harmful stereotypes and racialized narratives.
- Support grassroots organizing through mini-grants, training, technical assistance, and coalition infrastructure.
- Create platforms for visibility, such as summits, media partnerships, and digital campaigns, to highlight community leadership and amplify urgent community priorities.
5. Strengthen Organizational Infrastructure
- Establish a sustainable funding model through grants, donor networks, and membership contributions to ensure long-term stability.
- Develop a robust evaluation system to track impact, measure progress, and increase accountability to communities served.
- Build organizational capacity through staff development, academic partnerships, research collaborations, and technology upgrades.
- Maintain transparency and accountability through public reports, community feedback loops, and independent financial audits.