As an ecosystem-builder with a membership of 114 organizations in the documentary field, Color Congress works to help their member organizations build collective power. And while these organizations have varied needs, one thing was clear: a key priority was to develop organizational strategy around a variety of capacity building issues such as growth, board development, and leadership transitions.
Color Congress Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Sahar Driver shared that it was challenging to find support to serve a range of needs. “We started looking around for who could help these organizations tackle various questions. We had trouble finding someone to fit the frame until we spoke to RoadMap. We worked with RoadMap to build the right team to help us address the issues we wanted to tackle.”
The training team involved RoadMap consultants Rebecca Johnson, Joyce Klemperer, Angélica Otero, and Gabi Cole. They have supported Color Congress with two rounds of cohort programming, focusing first on trainings in organizational fundamentals. In the first cohort, RoadMap was able to expand its reach to match 13 organizations with an additional consultant crew including Priscilla Gonzalez, Elizabeth Seja Min, Nico Aguilar Shank, Griffin Moore, Kristin Wyman, and Sherrell Hendrix. They were able to support each organization through coaching and creating action plans. Driver noted that they engaged RoadMap for a second round of support because members gained a lot from the first cohort. “One organization clearly got a lot of clarity around how to structure a board, including legal issues and roles. That organization went from a place of winging it to real clarity and strategy and strength,” shared Driver.
As ever, relationships have been key, both in and out of the work. Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Sonya Childress shared that they have appreciated the deep engagement around evaluation and connecting with organizations, noting a generous, flexible, and expansive approach. Driver also has been moved by generosity. “Lisa [Weiner-Mahfuz, Executive Director] has been generous with us through her availability beyond the actual work of this contract. There is a real spirit of generosity in her leadership.”
As Color Congress’ member organizations strengthen their infrastructure through this cohort work, both Childress and Driver note feeling fortified by the resilience and focus of their members. “This is a committed group of leaders who are aware of the power of storytelling work, and they will trudge on as long and far as they can despite the hostile environment. That gives me hope,” said Childress. Driver added that a recent conversation with members about how to make a case to funders for the importance of the work was a powerful reminder of why they do what they do. “These organizations are serving specific communities that are doing work that is essential to tell the stories and history of communities. They are making sure the present day is being captured, and that meaning is being made between issues and moments and histories so it’s really clear what the stakes are and how to move. The organizations and the people who lead them keep me focused in doing this work in this moment.”