[ECO]Colour in Climate – Empowering Women and BIPOC Activists

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Colour in Climate – Empowering Women and BIPOC Activists: A Gathering to Champion Climate Change Leadership 

Written by student intern: Jacqueline O’Neill Huerta 

In partnership with:

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Nicole Doray, alongside Grace Swain and Urshian Khalid, champions inclusivity for environmental and social activists in the GTA*, with a focus on women and BIPOC communities. Their idea, the Colour in Climate that will be held in Spring 2024, spotlights climate justice work led by marginalized groups, fostering celebration and solidarity. 

Nicole, drawing from personal experiences, critiques conventional climate events as lacking community-building and often tokenizing BIPOC attendees. Her vision? A space where activists of colour feel valued for their contributions, free from tokenism and formalities. 

“We wanted to create a space for folks to feel nurtured without needing to be of service, recognized without being tokenized, and connected in community without needing to validate their work or prove that they deserve to be in this space,” Nicole Doray, Feb. 2024. 

Their innovative approach involves co-creating the event with activists, ensuring inclusivity from the ground up. By collaborating with leaders from various sectors and age groups, they aim to represent the diverse voices driving social and climate change. 

Despite the buzz surrounding their initiative, challenges emerged. Coordinating with 50 to 60 leaders meant navigating conflicting feedback. A notable example was their effort to provide professional headshots, acknowledging the importance of diverse representation while addressing concerns of exploitation. 

They knew this was the right step as they guided themselves by their north star: “whatever leaves attendees feeling included, appreciated, celebrated, and loved. So, every decision that we make, including the way we consult attendees, is made with that as the goal.” Nicole Doray, Feb. 2024. 

As they forge ahead, Nicole and her team remain committed to meeting their community’s needs. Beyond mere networking, their goal is to foster genuine connections, believing impactful

work stems from mutual understanding and compassion. As Nicole put it, “some of the best work evolves from people feeling genuinely connected and accountable to each other.” Building genuine relationships is the main goal of the event; “any work that emerges from those relationships will be a ‘cherry on top’.” 

To realize their vision, securing funding was paramount. They sought grants aligning with their values, prioritizing justice, inclusion, and flexibility. The

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, with its accommodating application process and emphasis on diversity, proved instrumental. 

With the event garnering community support, Nicole anticipates its realization as a testament to genuine collaboration. Their inclusive approach sets a precedent for organizations, urging them to prioritize diverse voices and needs. 

Looking forward, Nicole challenges other organizations to prioritize the well-being of marginalized team members, recognizing their vital role in driving climate and social justice efforts. 

“I would challenge them to ask their team members, especially women and non-binary team members of ******, what would make them feel most supported, uplifted, and nurtured as we head into yet another year of intense climate and social justice action,” Nicole proposed. 

*This includes the land of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

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