BIPOC Executive Directors Coalition | Pyramid Communications

Uniting BIPOC Nonprofit Leaders Across Washington State

In 2020, one of our longstanding community partners asked for our support as they formed a new coalition of BIPOC nonprofit executive directors across the state. Their mission: unite through healing and advocacy to generate abundance in communities.

We listened and learned, drawing from their strengths to develop their brand and communications strategy. We walked alongside them, collaborating to create and implement components of their plan, including: a foundational message framework, a case for support, social platforms, monthly newsletters, a website and media strategy.

Calling in philanthropy

An early component of their work was a campaign to call in philanthropy to reimagine their roles and commit to working with BIPOC-led organizations in more powerful ways. We supported content creation, outreach to funders, and design and facilitation of meetings with early adopters of the coalition’s Equitable Funder Pledge. Throughout, we ensured our campaign strategies were in alignment with their capacity and budget. Where capacity lacked, we were able to strategically fill in with an eye toward deepening the capacity of the coalition.

Prioritizing rest for BIPOC leaders

Healing and wellness are half of the coalition’s mission. We’ve been strategic partners in the design, promotion and facilitation of virtual events. More recently, the coalition began offering respites and sabbaticals for BIPOC leaders, and we supported by facilitating connections within the philanthropic world. We also have co-written content, including an issue paper, making the case for sabbaticals for BIPOC leaders, and op-eds to underscore the importance of rest.