What does BIPOC stand for? Unpacked, the letters give you Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The term groups together people who are not white in the American sense of race, while naming Black and Indigenous people first.
BIPOC appears in news stories, school and workplace programs, grant applications, arts groups and community events. It became much more common in recent years. Some people find it useful, others prefer different words, and many writers avoid it when a more specific name for a group fits better.
Quick facts
Stands for
Black, Indigenous, and People of ColorType
Acronym, said as a wordHow to say it
BYE-pockUsed in
News, schools, workplaces, nonprofits, the artsRelated terms
POC, people of color; DEI programsPlural
No s needed; BIPOC already covers groups of people
What does BIPOC stand for, part by part?
- B, Black: people of African descent, including African Americans and Black immigrants.
- I, Indigenous: Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian peoples, and other first peoples of a land.
- POC, People of Color: a wider group that includes Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander and many multiracial people, along with Black and Indigenous people.
The last three letters are the older term POC. BIPOC puts B and I in front of it. People who use it often say this order highlights the particular histories of Black and Indigenous communities in the United States, such as slavery and the loss of tribal lands.
Where you will see the term
BIPOC is most common in written, organized settings rather than casual talk.
- Programs and grants: a scholarship or fellowship may say it is open to BIPOC applicants.
- Workplaces: employee groups and DEI reports may use the term.
- Schools and libraries: reading lists may feature BIPOC authors.
- Arts and media: theaters and festivals may describe BIPOC artists or casts.
On a library flyer: "Book club this month: stories by BIPOC writers." This means the selected books are by authors who are Black, Indigenous or other people of color.
How people view BIPOC
Opinions on the term differ, including among the groups it describes. A fair summary of the main views:
- Supporters say it gives a short, inclusive label for shared experiences and makes clear that Black and Indigenous people are named, not only implied.
- Critics say it lumps very different communities together and that few people describe themselves with it in daily life.
- Many style guides and writers suggest using the specific group whenever you can, such as Black Americans, Navajo or Korean American, and using a broad term only when you truly mean many groups at once.
Some surveys have suggested that many people in the groups covered have not heard the term or do not use it for themselves. Because of that, the safest choice in your own writing is often to ask people how they prefer to be described.
Saying and writing the term
Most people say BIPOC as one word, "BYE-pock." Some spell out each letter, but that is less common. Writers put it in all capitals and skip periods.
- "The fund supports BIPOC-owned small businesses in the city."
- "The panel included three BIPOC teachers."
- "The report looked at health outcomes for BIPOC patients."
Use it as an adjective in front of a noun, as above. Saying "a BIPOC" for one person is often seen as awkward or impolite. Since you say it as a word, BIPOC is a true acronym; see what is an acronym for how that works.
BIPOC vs POC and other group terms
| Term | Full form | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| POC | People of color | The older, broader term with no groups named first |
| BIPOC | Black, Indigenous, and People of Color | Names Black and Indigenous people first |
| Minority | No short form | Based on population share; some find it outdated |
For other letter groups about identity and community, see LGBTQIA+ and NAACP, or explore our famous acronyms collection of everyday short forms.
Questions people ask
What does the I in BIPOC stand for?
It stands for Indigenous, meaning the first peoples of a land. In the United States that usually refers to Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian people.
Is BIPOC the same as POC?
They overlap. POC, people of color, is the broader older term. BIPOC adds Black and Indigenous at the front to name those groups specifically.
How do you pronounce BIPOC?
Most people pronounce it BYE-pock. A few read the five letters out separately, but you will rarely hear that.
Is it okay to use BIPOC?
It is widely used in formal and organizational writing, but not everyone likes it. When you mean one group, naming that group is usually clearer, and asking people what they prefer is always a good idea.