In March 2000, the Women of Color Action Network (WCAN) was founded by a group of women with the vision to help women of color realize their maximum potential in the workplace. One impetus for forming the organization was a study, Women of Color in Corporate Management by Catalyst, a New York-based research and advocacy organization.

The Catalyst study as well as other similar research showed that creating and sustaining women’s networks is a critical success factor for the advancement of women in the workplace. This finding is especially relevant to women of color who disproportionately experience barriers to upward mobility in their organizations and professions, including lack of mentors, networking, role models and visibility.