AASHE’s Affinity Groups are intended to foster inclusivity, belonging, support, and progress within our community. These groups are carefully crafted to provide a secure and empowering environment for individuals from underrepresented communities to share common experiences, challenges, and aspirations tied to their identity. Our focus is to create a space that cultivates a transformative atmosphere where meaningful dialogue and collective empowerment can flourish.
Given the ways systemic racism and other forms of oppression have impacted both higher ed and sustainability spaces, AASHE is creating these affinity groups to provide:
- A supportive and affirming space for individuals to confidentially have open dialogue and share experiences, challenges, and successes related to identity
- A sense of community and camaraderie among members facing similar systemic barriers and biases.
- Resources, knowledge, and best practices related to racial equity and social justice issues.
Who Can Join?
Membership in an affinity group is open exclusively to individuals who identify with the specific group in question and are affiliated with an AASHE member organization. This ensures members can freely share their experiences without concern, knowing that fellow participants understand their perspectives firsthand. It’s important to emphasize that individuals seeking to join an affinity group without authentically sharing its identity may inadvertently cause harm. We are resolutely committed to cultivating a safe and supportive environment where intolerance or discrimination based on identity is not tolerated and where identities are unwaveringly respected and fiercely protected.
Current Affinity Groups
- Asian
- Black
- Indigenous Peoples
- Latino/a/x
- TSLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual
How Do I Join an Affinity Group?
AASHE Affinity Groups exist within the online community, AASHE Connect. You must have or create an account in the AASHE Portal to access AASHE Connect. Once in AASHE Connect, find your Affinity Group and click “request to join.” Once approved, you will receive an email confirmation of your membership in the group.
No Affinity Group Fits My Needs
If you believe there is an Affinity Group that could benefit our community but has not been mentioned, please feel free to suggest it by using this form.