Alternatives to “POC” in Data Reporting

This report explores the limitations of the term People of Color (POC) in data reporting and recommends more precise language to reflect diverse racial and ethnic experiences. While POC and BIPOC were intended to promote solidarity among marginalized groups, both can obscure the distinct challenges different communities face. The report encourages specificity—naming groups such as Black, Latine, Asian, Indigenous, or Middle Eastern—rather than using umbrella labels. It also references U.S. Department of the Interior standards, which categorize race and ethnicity into six clear groups to improve data accuracy, equity insights, and inclusion strategies.