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
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.