Pa Thao, left, will be transitioning out of her role as Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc.'s executive director – a position she has held since co-founding the nonprofit in 2018. On May 28, Bianca Gomez, right, was announced as the incoming executive director. (Photos via Facebook)

Since its founding, the Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc. (BBWPC) has aimed to advocate for and end violence against people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The Eau Claire-based nonprofit – co-founded by prominent community organizer and advocate, Pa Thao – announced it will welcome a new executive director for the first time since its establishment in 2018.

In an online announcement posted on May 28, BBWPC shared Thao will step down from her role as executive director in order to spend more time with family – and will pass the torch to Bianca Gomez.

Thao said the transition will take place over the next few months, with her official role ending in August. “This organization has been a labor of love and community, and it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve and help grow our collective vision over the past five years,” Thao stated. 

“As the co-founder and inaugural executive director, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside powerful leaders, advocates, and organizers and I carry immense gratitude for everyone who’s been part of this journey.”

"I come into this role with a strong sense of purpose and deep appreciation for the work that has come before me."

BIANCA GOMEZ

INCOMING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BLACK & BROWN WOMYN POWER COALITION, INC.

Thao celebrated BBWPC’s various efforts over the past five years, including its support to shape the VOCA 241 grant program; its advocacy for inclusive language changes within the Immigrant and Refugee an Underrepresented grant program at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families; and efforts to organize various trainings, gatherings, and support initiatives, including its Wisconsin Womyn Training Institute and Hmong Victim Services Support programs.

Gomez, incoming executive director, earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Akron, Ohio, before completing her master’s degree in Afro-American Studies at UW-Madison. Gomez’s professional background includes expertise in program development, nonprofit management, and working alongside victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

“My journey to this position has been shaped by years of community work, movement building, and a commitment to healing justice,” Gomez shared in the announcement. “I come into this role with a strong sense of purpose and deep appreciation for the work that has come before me.”

“Across the country, we’re seeing efforts to silence and punish those who speak out against state violence, fight for bodily autonomy, and demand safety on our own terms," Gomez said. “In the face of all of this, Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition stands as a place of resistance, care, and vision. Our work is not just necessary, it is urgent.”

Read BBWPC's full announcement below:

Leadership Transition & Staffing Announcement

Dear Community, Partners, and Supporters,

After deep reflection and heartfelt conversations, I am writing to share that I will be transitioning out of my role as Executive Director of Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition by the end of August 2025 to spend more time with my children. This organization has been a labor of love and community, and it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve and help grow our collective vision over the past five years.

As the co-founder and inaugural Executive Director, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside powerful leaders, advocates, and organizers and I carry immense gratitude for everyone who’s been part of this journey. I am also immensely proud of the work that this small but mighty team has been able to do. From providing community care during the COVID-19 pandemic, to developing impactful training and convenings that bring advocates together to learn and build collectively, to organizing and advocating for policies that uplift and fund culturally specific victim services, our work has mattered. Notably, we helped shape the VOCA 241 grant program, advocated for inclusive language changes in the Requests for Proposals within the Immigrant and Refugee and Underrepresented grant programs at the Department of Children and Families, and played a critical role in ensuring that funding for culturally specific programs is prioritized in the Long-Range Plan.

I remain steadfast in my commitment to the mission and vision of this organization and will continue to support Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition in ways that uplift and amplify the powerful work our staff, volunteers, and partners are doing across the state.

It is with great joy and full confidence that I now welcome and introduce our new incoming Executive Director, Bianca Gomez. Bianca brings a deep commitment to working alongside victims and survivors of gender-based violence and advocates with her expansive expertise in program development, non-profit management, and confronting and ending anti-Blackness in all systems.  I know she will lead Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition into its next chapter with vision, integrity, and strength centering the liberation of womyn, girls, young people and queer and trans folx.

Over the next three months, I will work closely with Bianca and the staff and board to ensure a thoughtful and smooth transition. Please join me in warmly welcoming Bianca to this role. We are lucky to have such capable and passionate leadership taking the helm.

Thank you for the trust, love, and partnership you’ve given me. The work continues, and our journey towards liberation and ending gender-based violence continues because of all of you.

With gratitude,
Pa Thao, MSW
Co-Founder & Executive Director (Outgoing)

•••

A Welcoming from Our In-coming Executive Director

Dear Community,

I am so excited to join Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition as the (in-coming) Executive Director. It is a deep honor to step into this role and be part of a team that has been doing powerful, necessary work in support of Black and Brown survivors, advocates, organizers, and communities.

My journey to this position has been shaped by years of community work, movement building, and a commitment to healing justice. I come into this role with a strong sense of purpose and deep appreciation for the work that has come before me. I'm ready to build on that foundation and contribute in ways that push our vision forward.

We are doing this work in a time of intense political backlash against our communities. Across the country, we’re seeing efforts to silence and punish those who speak out against state violence, fight for bodily autonomy, and demand safety on our own terms. In the face of all of this, Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition stands as a place of resistance, care, and vision. Our work is not just necessary, it is urgent.

In this next chapter, I hope to help expand our reach, deepen our connections, and continue building spaces where our people can lead, thrive, and be resourced. I'm especially excited to support the leadership of Black and Brown women and gender-expansive folks who are doing transformative work across the state and beyond.

Love and Power, 
Bianca Gomez 

•••

Team Update!

Welcome Casey Moua (They/She) to our team as the Hmong Helpline Advocate for the Wisconsin Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline.

Casey has been part of our team since March 2025, and we’re thrilled to have them on board as we work together to build a better world for our communities.

Casey is passionate about co-developing accessible and inclusive pathways for transformative justice—ensuring that people of all backgrounds, regardless of education or experience, can engage in meaningful change. Their commitment extends across generations, bringing both youth and elders into the movement for justice and liberation.

In every space they enter, they seek to learn, grow, and share their warmth, fostering connections that nurture collective healing and empowerment.

Learn more about the Black & Brown Womyn's Power Coalition, Inc. team and their efforts online at bbwpcoalition.org. Keep up with the Eau Claire-founded nonprofit on Facebook.