ABOUT THE MOVEMENT
Empowered in Color started in 2018 as a space for people of color to explore a variety of career and life paths, while taking into consideration systemic barriers that may be in the way. After a hiatus from 2021-2023, Empowered in Color is back in 2024 with a newfound focus and inspiration with the same heart behind it.
Empowered in Color® Today
Empowered in Color is an educational platform that seeks to make sense of the past, to empower us in the present, so we can take action for a better future for us all.
Solidarity is the core of our work, and in order to foster a multiracial coalition working toward the same goal, we must understand how we got to the point we are at today. So many systems in the United States have been designed to breed a culture of overwhelm and apathy, and we want to bridge the gap.
Our Two Primary Pillars:
Know History, Know Self
The American public school system teaches a limited, and often whitewashed version of U.S. history to students—from the first Pacific Islanders in the Pacific Northwest to the origins of Pride to the resilience of Indigenous tribes from colonial contact to the present day. For many marginalized communities, the histories of our communities are usually not much more than a footnote in history books, if even that. A lack of representation can cause students to be less engaged in their education and learning journeys, which extends into adulthood.
Empowered in Color aims to share the rich (and sometimes dark) history of people of color throughout U.S. History and our contributions to building the country we live in today. We believe that understanding the past is a key component to inspiring change and taking political action because it provides a fuller picture as to how we ended up in the state we are in today. It can teach us the ways we are learning from history (or repeating it) so we can take the necessary steps forward, rather than moving backward.
We are also at a crucial time in American history where we cannot afford to work isolated from one another. In a time where certain institutions still take advantage of stereotypes and a lack of knowledge to divide communities, we use history to highlight instances of multiracial solidarity so we can come together and build a diverse coalition. After all, there is power in numbers.
Politics for We, the People
There is no doubt that a political system that was designed nearly 250 years ago would be a bit outdated. The 24-hour news cycle also doesn’t help when you see headlines about debt ceilings, Supreme Court decisions, and “unprecedented” events in Congress but have no idea how any of it is relevant for you. Besides, we’re all trying to survive when costs of living are skyrocketing, wages are stagnating, and we’re forced to go through “business as usual.”
In order to revolutionize U.S. politics to uplift we, the people (instead of a select few), we must first understand how the political system works.
Empowered in Color breaks down the complicated and convoluted American political system so we, the people, can not only participate in our democracy but also change it to fit our ever-evolving country. However, we want to also do so in an entertaining way so you don’t fall asleep the way you did in your high school U.S. Government class.
Whether you are 17 or 77, we are all affected by politics (even when we don’t realize it). We are here to demystify it so you can feel less overwhelmed and more empowered to take action. From calling your representatives to understanding how the electoral college works, we got you every step of the way.
ABOUT KRISELLE G, FOUNDER AND HOST
Kriselle is, first and foremost, a storyteller. From a young age, she knew that her purpose in life was to tell stories, especially of those whose stories don’t normally get told.
She grew up in one of the most diverse parts of Los Angeles in Carson, California. Her upbringing plus later college experiences at a predominantly white, Christian university in Orange County would set the stage to propel her into advocacy work and change the narrative around people of color in the United States.
Moving to Australia after graduating from college and witnessing the 2016 election from the outside looking in forced her to reevaluate everything she was taught about the US and how she lived her life as a child of immigrants just trying to survive.
After moving back to the US in 2017, these newfound perspectives and epiphanies led her to work in architecture, fashion, higher education, and most recently, politics. The initial lack of knowledge Kriselle had inspired the natural progression of her career toward politics and the desire to empower others like her to be less overwhelmed by it all.
Kriselle has spoken at events such as the Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation (SCORR), Podcast Movement: Evolutions, and Podfest. Some of her previous work includes collaborations with Black Radio United, the Urban League of Atlanta, the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, and various members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
When she needs a break from it all, she’s usually relaxing with video games or flying high in an aerial hoop.