We’re working, playing, and building our way toward a healthier, more equitable future for Black women.
The impact of generational and societal trauma on the Black Woman is evident everywhere from our communication norms to our literal genetic makeup. Infertility, high-functioning depression, hypertension, and anxiety have graduated from conditions vaguely studied in a 2-credit-hour health class to thematic undertones over bottomless mimosas. We are a generation who is the most educated, highest compensated, and who have achieved more positional power than at any other point in the history of this country. And yet we are the most plagued by physical and mental illness in both covert and overt ways.
Our individual suffering and trauma ripples through our social, professional and spiritual spheres, coloring our relationship with constructs, one another, and -- most importantly -- with our physical and spiritual selves. It's a communal affliction, but we try heal in silence. We talk ourselves out of therapy. We quietly Google indigenous practices. We self medicate. Let's not.
Join Women of Color Collaborative.
Conceptualized in 2015, Women of Color Collaborative is an intentional safe and restorative space for women of color to mitigate the impact of generational and societal trauma. The Collaborative is an incubator, providing culturally relevant and trauma-informed support for professionals across industries. And we're a community, a reprieve from daily microaggressions and systemic discrimination.
Our Guiding Principles
Rejection of white supremacist & misogynistic theory, practice and embodiment
Restoration of autonomy over our physical, spiritual and emotional health
Unapologetic embrace of indigenous and edifying practices, understanding, thoughts, and processes
Reclamation of our time, talent and treasure
The Co-Conspirators
WOCC’s Co-Conspirators work in alignment with our guiding principles to fulfill our mission, unapologetically centering Black women and girls and collaborating with like-minded women of all racial identities to dismantle systems of patriarchy and white supremacy.
erika r. burnett
erika is the heavy-hitter you want on your team when it's time to bring it all home. She enjoys serving as a master trainer, consultant, and facilitator across a variety of topics including volunteer management and engagement, youth development, team building, leadership exploration, and generational differences. She is a proud AmeriCorps and Nashville Emerging Leader alum who has been committed to Nashville’s nonprofit community for over 15 years.
She's all about increasing civic engagement of marginalized people, restorative justice, and radical self-care.
pronouns: she/her/hers
Myers-Briggs results: INFJ
(Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
nicole m. kemp
nicole has been writing and creating for most of her life. She has a way with words, a strong appetite for knowledge, and a deep desire to take things apart to make them better. She enjoys building teams and improving organizations. She has a special talent for forging a path where none exist. She's spent the last 7 years focusing on creating valuable experiences and designing tools for people of color, particularly young people.
She's all about exploring possibilities outside of established boundaries, and making sure black people are informed, creative, and intentional about the future.
pronouns: she/her/hers
Myers-Briggs results: INTJ
(Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)
as experienced educators, conference and summit planners, facilitators, and project managers, Erika + Nicole work to see our theory of change actualized through collaboration with community partners and combined effort toward the fulfillment of consulting contracts.
we pursue projects or partnerships that:
are collaborative — serving as a platform for our individual collaborators to flex their professional expertise
are aligned with our guiding principles — redirecting funds and shifting organizational cultures to support women of color everywhere we are
capitalize on our magic — allowing us to curate spaces and opportunities to work, play, and build
and feel good to us.
