In 2018, a group of women of color from Rochester and Buffalo broke barriers in their careers. After facing significant challenges in their pursuit of executive roles, they are now leading a movement to empower other women of color.

Organizer Sara Taylor says she and other women of color applied for CEO and executive director roles. However, they say despite being highly qualified, they faced a common barrier — being women of color.

"We knew that our journey had to look different," said Taylor, a community liaison and training specialist with Eleversity. "From getting an executive coach, having high-level mock interviews, knowing every aspect of nonprofit leadership operations — fundraising took all of those necessary steps before we applied for the positions."

Despite their efforts, many faced rejection. Taylor says one interim CEO even received a "no." These examples of what she calls systemic barriers are documented by the Building Movement Project, which has the goal of social change.

"I decided to write our story," said Taylor. "Asian American, Indigenous, Native American, Latina sisters, other African American women said, 'Me too.'"

In 2019, they held their first summit. Now in its fifth year, the Women of Color Summit includes allies, men and women of all races working to drive change.  

"We need allies, not just us [who] are of color, talking about the challenges," said Taylor. "But really, how do we get to solutions?"

The summit attracts more than 200 participants each year, focusing on mentorship, allyship, imposter syndrome, workplace microaggressions, and the pay gap. According to the US Census Bureau, Black or African American women earned an estimated 63 cents for every 79 cents estimated to have been earned by white women.

"This year, our theme is Rise-Recognizing Our Influence Essence in Success," said Taylor. "We have to be willing to look at internal boards. How are boards making decisions on who they feel or who they see is qualified?"

The summit is being held June 5-6 in Niagara Falls, with virtual sessions continuing in July.

For tickets to the summit, click here.