The Color of Water Initiative

The Color of Water Initiative was created by the Water Hub to build voice and visibility for people of color in the water movement. Our goal is to connect reporters with a more diverse set of experts, and build capacity for these experts to elevate the stories of their communities, which have often been left out of conversations around water.

From water access and drought response in the West to lead pipes and PFAS pollution in the Great Lakes; to recurring flooding and water infrastructure failures in the South, Color of Water members have deep expertise and first-hand experience on water challenges and solutions all across the country.

At the Water Hub, we believe there is an urgent need to change the dominant narrative around water because it often leaves out the stories from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities on the frontlines of water and climate challenges. Water media both reflects and reinforces the elitism of the water space, often prioritizing credentials and publishing history over proximity to the issues.

The Color of Water initiative aims to change that by lifting up lived experience, traditional and ancestral knowledge as expertise, and highlighting intersections with health, farming, housing, forest management, urban development, etc. We want to build voice and visibility for people with deep knowledge to build a better water future for all. We aim to resource reporters with diverse experts in the water field and build capacity for these spokespeople to elevate their community voices. From water access and drought response in California, the Colorado River, and on the Navajo Nation; lead pipe replacement, shutoffs and affordability, and PFAS pollution in the Great Lakes; to recurring flooding and water infrastructure failure in the South — Color of Water members share their first-hand experience dealing with water challenges and are available to offer ideas for how to develop climate resilient, community-based solutions all across the country. Our water experts and protectors are standing up to big oil, fighting for affordability programs, monitoring PFAS in water supplies, overseeing lead pipe replacement, growing native plants, praying for water protection, or participating in plans, policies and budget allocations. Theirs are the voices we need to uplift.

Access our Directory HERE

Thank you to Nicole Lampe & José Aranda of Climate Nexus - Water Hub for their continuing partnership with the Water Committee.