SWS IDEA Working Group
Racial Affinity Groups
An affinity group is an intentionally created space for those who share an identity to convene for learning, support, and connections.
Both people of color and white people are needed to work collectively for racial equity, but they have different work to do -precisely because of their different experiences with and location relative to white culture and privilege. Affinity groups are designed to offer intentional space and time to focus on their respective work to dismantle racism and advance racial equity. These spaces are critical to upholding SWS's fundamental values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism.
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For more information or questions, please contact Family IDEA Co-Chairs Jennifer Hicks and Tina Suliman.
Purpose of Benefits to Affinity Groups
For Black and People of Color
Creates a brave space to talk about and address experiences of racism.
Offers a space where necessary conversations and healing are possible.
Builds relationships and support through courageous and difficult conversations
Creates an alternative power base/ “counter-space” for BIPOC within white spaces
For White People
Creates accountable space to work through barriers that prevent white people from allying together toward anti-racist goals.
Builds relationships and deepens understanding of power/privilege
Builds collective tools for race equity
Offers space to discuss emotions, questions, and learning edges without causing harm to Black and People of Color
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Won't racial affinity groups promote segregation?Racial affinity groups are not meant to promote segregation, but rather to provide a secure and courageous environment where individuals can openly express their fears, pains, and aspirations without any external observers. This way, they can return to mixed identity spaces with greater self-awareness, reduced self-criticism, and increased self-assurance. Racial affinity groups increase racial solidarity by having explicit racial justice goals in mind. The different affinity groups move along parallel tracks toward a common destination, just in separate cars.
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How do I know if I am in the right racial affinity group?When participating in a racial affinity group, expect to discuss topics related to race and racism. If you find it difficult to communicate openly and truthfully using personal pronouns such as "I" or "we" in the group you join, it may indicate that the group is not the best fit for you. We recognize that these groups do not reflect the full range of racial identity in our society and in our school, and they will necessarily group together people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and identities. If you do not see yourself reflected in any of the current groups and are interested in helping to launch an additional affinity group, please contact the SWS IDEA Committee by emailing Kevin Arlyck (arlyck@gmail.com).
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Will there be opportunities for dialogue in a shared space?Racial affinity groups at SWS are an important part of our strategy for bringing together our community to reflect on and solve issues of racial inequities. Eventually the racial affinity groups will participate in joint sessions. Our goal is to have participants engage in sustained discussion in these three affinity spaces, before bringing the groups together for shared discussion and reflection. Although racial affinity groups will meet separately, the groups' facilitators will debrief with each other, in a manner that protects participant confidentiality, to ensure transparency and accountability.
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Where can I learn more about racial affinity groups?To read more about various affinity spaces, we recommend Racial Equity Tools' "Caucus and Affinity Groups" page.
Join an Affinity Group
Black Affinity Group
This group provides an ongoing space for caregivers and staff who identify as Black to connect, share experiences, and collaborate to address issues facing black students and families.
Next Meeting​
Wednesday, November 15
4:45PM-5:45PM
Location TBD
For more information, contact Tina Suliman at tsuliman@gmail.com or Jennifer Hicks at jcsween1@gmail.com
People of Color Affinity Group
A supportive space for caregivers and staff who are a part of racially and/or ethnically marginalized groups. This group will aim to give this diverse community a place to learn, explore, and understand both our connective experiences and our differences. We welcome all who identify as ‘people of color’. This can include but not exclusively: native-born, refugees, multiracial/mixed race, or of immigrant status.'
Next Meeting​
Thursday, October 26
4:45PM-5:45PM
SWS Library
For more information, contact Adriana Robertson at adipilafova@gmail.com or Charisse Hipol at charrisehipol@gmail.com
White Affinity Group
This group will be taking time to unpack our own personal internalization, experiences, and perpetuation of whiteness and racism. Through self-reflection, journaling, and conversation, we will examine topics such as white privilege, allyship, and anti-blackness, in order to explicitly and intentionally increase our critical analysis, practice vulnerability and humility, form relationships of mutual support and challenge, and build our capacity for the ongoing work of anti-racism in our school community and beyond.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Corinth at elizabeth.corinth@gmail.com.