WFU launches Affinity Resource Groups for employees

A guest post from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

A new type of support and unique community-building opportunity has officially launched this fall for Wake Forest University faculty and staff: Affinity Resource Groups (ARGs). ARGs will support faculty and staff in actively and intentionally cultivating an inclusive community and culture through collaborative community building, enhancing sense of belonging for faculty and staff from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups, and offering a structure of support where common interests and concerns can be shared, supported, and elevated. In addition, ARGs will provide personal and professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities for members, social and community engagement throughout the university and the community, and ultimately support and enhance experiences for our WFU faculty, staff, and students. 

Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, ODI convened a collaborative planning and development team comprising faculty and staff representatives from existing organizations and representing a diverse array of identities held. The planning group met bi-monthly, coming together to establish a shared vision for Affinity Resource Groups at Wake Forest and driving decisions such as the purpose and goals of such groups, leadership and governance practices, and more. ODI is deeply appreciative of the time and energy the ARG planning team committed to this work in the spirit of radical collaboration and community-driven change making. 

Wake Forest University Affinity Resource Groups are an effort spearheaded by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), in collaboration with Human Resources and numerous campus stakeholders. Throughout institutional history, different groups that range in terms of formal organization and historical longevity, have emerged to offer community and support to different groups of historically marginalized faculty and staff. The implementation of ARGs offers an avenue for institutional support, intentional collaboration across groups and sustainable operations to existing groups, as well as creates a process for new groups to come into being. This August, 11 ARGs formally launched as part of the ARG program, representing the following staff and faculty communities and interests: Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA), Disability, International, JARG – Jewish, Latinx, Men of Valor – Black Men At Wake, Middle Eastern & South Asian, Parent and Caregivers, WFQ – Wake Forest Queer, Women, and Women of Color-WOC. 

All WFU staff and faculty are invited to participate in Affinity Resource Groups, and more can be learned about the ARGs and how to get connected by visiting the Affinity Resource Group webpage.  Additionally, mark your calendar now for the Fall Affinity Experience, to be held Monday, September 19, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm; this semesterly gathering showcases the ARGs at WFU and offers an opportunity to meet current members and leaders.