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Our Services & Initiatives
Health Advocacy
Youth Education & Mentorship
Substance Use Prevention
Substance Use Prevention
Youth Education & Mentorship
Substance Use Prevention
Community Service
Youth Education & Mentorship
Youth Education & Mentorship
Youth Education & Mentorship
Youth Education & Mentorship
Youth Education & Mentorship
Racial Disparities in Behavioral Health Care Grant
Women of Colors (WOC) played an essential role in advancing and showcasing research related to the Racial Disparities in Behavioral Health Care Grant.
Our involvement brought invaluable insight, shaped by personal and collective experiences, to highlight the urgent need for addressing these disparities. By leading research projects, analyzing data, and advocating for policy change, WOC ensured that findings were grounded in cultural understanding and resonate with affected communities. Our contributions to this research help bridge gaps in care, create awareness of systemic challenges, and inspire solutions that promote equity and culturally competent practices within behavioral health care.
✨WOC Spotlight✨
Meet Dr. Pam!
Dr. Ross McClain earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Cornell University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. She served as Delta College’s Chief Officer of Culture, Belonging, and Community Building where she led the development of the Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (BEDI) Division and was named the Dr. Bob Zimmerman Endowed Teaching Chair in 2023 for her innovative leadership. She has also held faculty and leadership appointments at the University of Michigan Flint, Saginaw Valley State University, and Saginaw Public Schools.
In the nonprofit sector, Dr. Ross McClain has served as Director of Diversity and Community Research and Development with Women of Colors (WOC), where she also managed the Community Advocacy and Resilience Project (CARP). In this role, she led grant writing and program development efforts, secured and stewarded funding. She oversaw the implementation of a trauma-informed, community-based model designed to support individuals impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. Her leadership of CARP reflects her deep commitment to equity, healing-centered engagement, and community empowerment.
Affectionately known as “Dr. Pam” by her WOC colleagues, she is recognized for her warmth, authenticity, and unwavering integrity. Her work has earned her numerous honors, including the 2024 Heart of the City DEI Achievement Award and recognition as a Juneteenth Presidential Honoree by the Council of Small Business Enterprises (COSBE).
Beyond her professional work, Dr. Ross McClain is an avid art collector who finds joy and meaning in creative expression. She has been honored to share her love of art with Women of Colors by curating and displaying pieces within the organization’s new building, helping to create a space that reflects culture, beauty, and community pride.
With deep humility and a touch of humor, Dr. Ross McClain views leadership not as a title but as a responsibility to serve, uplift, and build bridges. Her lifelong commitment to nonprofit service includes faithful contributions to organizations such as Women of Colors and First Ward Community Center, where she has championed youth development and drug- and violence-prevention initiatives.
Effective May 1, 2026, she transitions from her work with Women of Colors to serve as Director of the Access, Community, and Opportunity Division at Seattle Central College.
