Bridge Building, Intersectionality and Inclusion

Poster Session

Belonging: How Affinity Groups are Critical to the Recruitment, Retention, and Development of Employees of Color

Workshop Organizer(s)

• 

  Janet Damon, MLIS, EdS

  Library Services Specialist
  Denver Public Schools

This session will explore the power of intentionally designing and managing affinity groups to meet the needs of diverse employees while driving and sustaining innovation and strategic partnerships across the community. Our goal is to support district effort to:
• Create an ingrained support system for our educators including a protocol where employees of color can learn about the list of Belong Groups upon hiring
• Work for the advancement, retention, support, and development of Women of Color across departments through professional development, training, skills courses, mentorship, and engagement activities.
• Create caring communities through the strategic use of text, email, meetups, events, and programs for youth (i.e. Pathways to Teaching for HS students, Career Fairs for youth, Speaker’s Bureau)
• Collaborate with organizations and facilitators that support the ongoing development and support of our initiatives and goals of our WOC group
• Engage in social outings, health/wellness activities, and fun events that promote sisterhood and self-care for body and soul.

Learn how to advocate for, develop, and maintain an affinity group in your library community.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion, participants will be able to advocate for affinity groups in their organization using the research provided in the session.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to engage with peers using the framework of affinity groups to recruit and retain diverse candidates.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to create a group charter, goals, and benchmarks that serve to diversify the organizations they work in, helping to uplift and sustain diverse communities.