diff --git a/.changeset/fast-queens-guess.md b/.changeset/fast-queens-guess.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b2e5086e9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/fast-queens-guess.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/core-components': patch
+---
+
+Swap base token for semantic token in ItemCardHeader to ensure readability in light mode.
diff --git a/packages/core-components/src/layout/ItemCard/ItemCardHeader.tsx b/packages/core-components/src/layout/ItemCard/ItemCardHeader.tsx
index b21ac53cf6..115c9e89e1 100644
--- a/packages/core-components/src/layout/ItemCard/ItemCardHeader.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-components/src/layout/ItemCard/ItemCardHeader.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export type ItemCardHeaderClassKey = 'root';
 const styles = (theme: Theme) =>
   createStyles({
     root: {
-      color: theme.palette.common.white,
+      color: theme.palette.text.primary,
       padding: theme.spacing(2, 2, 3),
       backgroundImage: theme.getPageTheme({ themeId: 'card' }).backgroundImage,
       backgroundPosition: 0,