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women-of-color

Rooted in Sisterhood: Women of Color Alumni Reunion in Puerto Rico

Recently, a group of incredible leaders from one of our Women of Color Leadership Cohorts reunited for a self-organized trip to Puerto Rico. What started as a cohort experience through re:power has blossomed into lifelong friendships, deep trust, and a shared commitment to growing together.

When we say that re:power is a learning home—we mean it. Our programs are intentionally designed to create spaces where BIPOC organizers not only learn strategy and skills, but also find community. Community that sees you, affirms you, and wants to see you rise.

From exploring Old San Juan and sharing meals together, to laughter-filled mornings over coffee, this group took time to reconnect, reflect, and revel in the joy of being in community with one another. They reminded us all that leadership is sustained not just by strategy and stamina—but by love, rest, and connection.

“re:power is your organizing home filled with people who want to see you grow and shine.”

WOC Alumni

This is the magic of the re:power community. ✨

We’re so grateful to this brilliant and beautiful cohort for sharing a glimpse of their reunion with us. e’re excited to keep sharing more stories of joy, leadership, and transformation from our alumni community.

📲 Want to see more moments like this?

Instagram

Follow us on Instagram @repowerorg for more highlights, behind-the-scenes stories, and updates from the field.

State Voices Women of Color Cohort

From September to December, re:power facilitated a 9-week Women of Color Leadership Development Cohort for a group of 20 staff from across State Voices’ network, who hold roles ranging from Communications Associate to Organizing Director to Development Manager. The State Voices network now has more women of color staff than ever before and this program is focused on investing in their leadership and growth. 

We deepened our connection to State Voices after one of their staff participated in our February 2023 public cohort and recommended the program to the State Voices network. This participant stated:

“The content shared and worked through was unexpected but so needed—I love how you all connect everyday things that we often use for coping mechanisms as a way to harness our leadership and feel more connected to our inner selves. Thank y’all ❤️ “

State Voices participants from the Winter 2023 Cohort were enlightened and refreshed from their recent cohort experience. Many stated this opportunity helped them connect on a deeper level with other State Voices staff which enhances the work they do across the State Voices table.

“Thank you for the opportunity to be in this space and to heal. We as women of color do need to heal ourselves before we can heal the community.”

WoC – State Voices cohort member

Our WOC Cohort Alum are ambassadors for re:power and they stay connected to re:power by attending additional trainings, becoming facilitators for the cohort, and facilitating opportunities for re:power to partner with other organizations.

We look forward to seeing how our growing base of WoC alumni will continue engaging with us and championing our work in the future!

“This is magical and it works.”

WoC – State Voices cohort member

Ateira Griffin Named re:power’s New Director of Women of Color Leadership Programs

re:power is excited to welcome Ateira Griffin as its first Director of Women of Color Leadership Programs. In this role, Ateira will engage re:power’s self-identifying women of color alum and vision and implement programming that supports and uplifts the work of women of color organizers.

A life-long Baltimore City resident, educator, facilitator, community organizer, and writer, Ateira is the founder and CEO of BOND—Building Our Nation’s Daughters, Inc. which mentors single mothers to cultivate positive mother-daughter relationships and increase their economic mobility two generations at a time. 

“We’re excited to have Ateira join our team, and help us further our work to build a truly inclusive political system in this country,” said Karundi Williams, re:power’s Executive Director. 

“We needed a leader who understood the challenges women of color face, at every level in their careers. Someone who deeply understands that, when Black, brown, and Indigenous women lead, we all win. We needed someone who could develop this framework with our partners and our communities and, with intentionality, center women of color and our leadership on the campaign trail, in the chambers, in the streets, and everywhere in between. I am beyond proud to say we have found that leader in Ateira.”

While this is a new position within re:power, the focus on women of color leadership is not. re:power has spent the last several years reflecting on how the intensifying nature of opposition has required quick skilling up and deeper commitments to ethical and effective leadership. The Women of Color Leadership Programs is designed to meet this moment, by centering the needs of one of the most marginalized groups among us: women of color. The efforts to come out of this new program area will create space for skills building, reflection, community building, and peer-to-peer learning and support.

“Liberation movements, and the people who power them, face both unprecedented opportunities to win and grave threats. Women of color are on the front lines, showing up every day to fight for all of us. It is our duty to ensure they have a safe space to learn, develop and build. I’m excited to help create that space within re:power.”

Ateira Griffin

About Ateira

Ateira earned her bachelor’s in civil engineering from Morgan State University and a master’s in secondary education along with a certificate in school leadership and administration from Johns Hopkins University. She previously served as a K-12 educator and school administrator and has authored and facilitated leadership training for adults across the nation serving as Director, Regional Leadership Development with Leadership for Educational Equity.

While serving as Director of Civic Engagement in the 1st District of Baltimore’s City Council Office she played a key role in organizing the “Back on the Bus” campaign for two extra hours of free student MTA ridership, organized the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Community Forum, passed the Transparency in Lobbying Act, and led Baltimore Rising, a 7-week free organizing and advocacy training for Baltimore residents. Most recently, Ateira testified at Congress for fair housing policies amplifying the Fair Housing Act’s impact on Black single mothers and women of color.

Currently, Ateira serves on the board of Teach For America—Baltimore and The Unity Hall in West Baltimore. She also serves as a school board commissioner for Baltimore City Public Schools. Ateira was awarded the 2019 Echoing Green Fellowship in recognition of her leadership and her work with BOND. Ateira also co-hosts Point of Hue, a podcast by and about women of color.