The Illinois Affinity Group Network seeks to cultivate authentic, inclusive, intersectional spaces, shaped by and for educators of color. These affirming and supportive spaces, rooted in an asset-based understanding of diversity, will support educators in navigating and improving their school environments and will be connected to a larger network to build alliances and address systemic issues.
If you are interested in joining an affinity group, please complete this interest form.
Can't find an Affinity Group in your area, sign up for our virtual affinity group here
This affinity group seeks to create a brave inclusive space of belonging for Educators of Color who do not have an affinity group they can turn to in their area.
Cook
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to create a community of belonging in an intentional, authentic, and intersectional space for Black. Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) educators and staff. Within this space, we will connect, replenish, and inspire one another as we share our experiences, struggles, and successes.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus:Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- Educators of color deserve to have their voices heard when advocating for themselves and their students’ needs without the fear of being antagonized and labeled as “difficult”. But some spaces leave educators of color feeling unwelcome and invisible. By standing together, we can create a necessary space where we cultivate a sense of belonging that allows us to comfortably advocate for ourselves and our children.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI)
- This affinity Group seeks to create an inclusive space of belonging for AAPI educators and those wishing to learn more about them, to come together in a safe space without judgment. This group intends to discuss and bring awareness to the struggles AAPI educators face. The group hopes to connect with other educators and support them by opening up a dialogue which can lead to change.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black/African American
- Our affinity group designed to foster community, support, and professional growth among Educators and and Staff of color. We will engage in meaningful discussions, share strategies for success, and collaborate on ways to navigate the unique experiences of teaching in diverse environments. This group aims to empower teachers, build leadership skills, create a safe space for reflection, shared learning and unearth joy in their educational settings.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Latine/o/a/x and Hispanic
- Educators of color deserve to have their voices heard when advocating for themselves and their students’ needs without the fear of being antagonized and labeled as “difficult”. But some spaces leave educators of color feeling unwelcome and invisible. By standing together, we can create a necessary space where we cultivate a sense of belonging that allows us to comfortably advocate for ourselves and our children.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks is meant to be a place of community, support, professional growth, and advocacy. It is called the #iBelong group so every BIPOC educator knows they belong in education, they belong in Evergreen Park, and they belong in this group. We will support and uplift each other so we can grow as professionals and people year after year.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- BEST Affinity Group is a space that will organize, connect and bring Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) educators together for events in an effort to help them navigate the many stressors that come with the job. This group will work to foster relationships, and provide professional development opportunities, mentoring, networking, resources, and joy!
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- If you are interested in exploring the opportunity to engage with other educators of color in a space of authenticity and belonging for an hour long, twice a month. If so, join us at the H(our) Time & Space JAM. All are welcome! Through a blend of virtual meetings and in-person events, the JAM (Joining Authentically Me) will provide an array of opportunities for interpersonal relations, laughing out loud, and keeping it real.
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC
- The BIPOC Administrators of Maine (BAM) is an affinity group for 12-month administrators who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. BAM’s mission is to create a supportive community where members feel a deep sense of belonging, allowing for open expression and shared support.
Through this space, BAM nurtures meaningful relationships, encourages personal and professional growth, and promotes collective empowerment, with joy as a central outcome.
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Afro-Latinx, Black/African American
- This affinity group seeks to create an inclusive space of belonging for AAPI, Afro-LatinX, and Black educators to gather and be free from the dominant cultures stereotypes and marginalization that permeate every other societal space we often occupy. This group intends to replenish, reenergize and connect us so that we can build community amongst one another in a large district.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), Men/Male Identifying
- The Male Educators Nurturing Talent (MENT) Affinity Group is a supportive community designed for male educators dedicated to fostering talent and promoting diversity within educational settings. By sharing resources, experiences, and strategies, members aim to empower each other and enhance student engagement, particularly for boys and young men. Through mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy, MENT seeks to create an inclusive environment that celebrates the contributions of male educators while addressing the unique challenges they face in the field.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- Purpose & Vision: This Affinity Group seeks to create a brave and inclusive space for staff members within Skokie SD69 who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) . Our goal is to cultivate a community where everyone can come together to share experiences, uplift one another, and find strength in our diversity. Through this space, we hope to inspire and support one another as we work towards a more equitable and inclusive educational environment for all members of our district.
Dekalb
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to provide a safe and inclusive space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) educators and full time staff to share our experiences, gain knowledge, connect and support one another in our efforts to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our educational spaces. This space will provide reflection, healing, collaboration, and steps for advocacy to best support each other and the students we serve.
DuPage
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- The purpose of this affinity group is to cultivate a safe space for courageous conversations.
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Latinx
- The Latina/o/x affinity group for staff at Fenton H.S. seeks to empower staff members to have a fulfilling and sustaining career by allowing space for healing, elevating of voices, sharing experiences, gaining knowledge and skills, and ensuring there is Latino/a/x representation in teacher leader and leadership roles within the building.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Women/Female Identifying, Middle Eastern, North African, Asian (MENAA)
- This affinity group seeks to create a space of belonging for South Asian staff working in public or private schools to gather to identify the needs for South Asian staff, students, and families within the workplace. This group intends to address the misconceptions of South Asian culture, Model Minority Myth, and addressing the Invisibility of South Asians in society.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- The BEST affinity Group seeks to create a space of belonging for Black, Indigenous and, People of Color (BIPOC) educators to gather and be free from the dominant cultures’ stereotypes and marginalization that permeate every other societal space we often occupy. This group intends to replenish and reenergize us so that we can begin to reimagine a liberating future within our district and K12/P20 educational landscape overall.
Jackson
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- The purpose of this group will be to increase the likelihood of Black educators remaining in the school district. Black educators will create a support system that will be used to strengthen them as individuals who enter into a predominately white work environment on a daily basis. This group will serve as a safe landing space for educators who are in all facets of their careers from early to late career; teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.
Lake
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity space seeks to cultivate an intentional, authentic, and intersectional space for educators of color (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color). This will be done through examination and affirmation of each member’s identity and addressing issues of racism, representation, and equity within the district in an effort to support the Strategic Plan Inclusive Education Objective of embracing diversity.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- The purpose of this affinity group is to affirm, support, and empower BPOC school administrators as they navigate the unique challenges of leadership in predominantly white communities.
The Vision: To create a thriving network of Black and Indigenous Persons of Color (BIPOC) school administrators who lead with authenticity, resilience, and purpose, fostering inclusive and equitable educational environments where diversity is celebrated. Through our collective strength and shared experiences, we seek to inspire and cultivate a sense of belonging, well-being, and professional longevity for current and future leaders within predominantly white educational spaces.
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- I want to create a space and relationships where staff of color (BIPOC) can bring their whole authentic self without having to deal with the preconceived ideas of their colleagues or administration. I want this place to provide strength, understanding and friendship to all that attend. I want it to be a place of laughter and hope.
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to support and provide a safe space for teachers of color where teachers find connection and inspiration from each other. We seek to have the opportunity to empower ourselves to make a difference in our students’ lives.
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black/African American, Latinx, Men & Women/Female/Male Identifying
- This affinity space is intended to support Mundelein High School’s staff of color to build a community of belonging and to create a more equitable environment for our BIPOC students.
Madison
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black/African American
- This Affinity Group seeks to create an inclusive and safe space for administrators of color to network, bounce ideas off of each other, and act as a support in the navigation through leadership in Madison County schools, with the ultimate focus on maximizing our instructional and managerial leadership.
McHenry
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This Affinity Group seeks to create an inclusive space of belonging for educators who identify as Latino, Black, or as a Person-of-Color (POC) to gather and discuss their experiences as educators of Color in a judgment-free manner to encourage open discussion, collaboration, and community building in support of teacher-retention.
McLean
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to create an inclusive space for BIPOC employees in the educational setting to come together as we display our authentic selves free from the judgement of the dominant cultures’ stereotypes. This group desires to provide relaxation with a goal of rejuvenating and reenergizing all who participate so they can feel the support that is often needed to work within the various areas of our educational landscape.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group is for educators interested in driving diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their schools. We will specifically target BIPOC educators holding or seeking leadership positions in districts where the staff demographics do not reflect student diversity. Like students, educators thrive in spaces where they feel connected. Affinity groups such as this one will shore up the leaders’ stamina to build diverse, equitable, inclusive schools. That is, when DEI leaders find strength through community, they can orchestrate brave spaces for educators who will in turn design spaces of belonging for students.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to create a supportive inclusive space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color educators (administration, teachers, paraprofessionals, and any other stakeholders) to gather and be free to connect, refresh their minds, and share thoughts.
Rock Island
- Open to district employees only
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- The East Moline School District 37 Affinity Group seeks to create a safe and brave space for all district educators who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). The space is designed to honor the individuals of the group by providing a place to gather, collaborate, connect and encourage one another. The group will embrace and work towards the vision of creating a sustainable inclusive atmosphere for all BIPOC throughout the EMSD37. In addition, the Affinity Group will serve as place for Educators of Color to begin or continue their journey of healing from the invisible tax that so many experience while working in the field of education.
Saint Clair
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to provide a safe and motivating space that is designed specifically for BIPOC educators. This space is available as a support to all to BIPOC educators with the goal to deter moments of teacher attrition and burn out. This affinity space is welcoming, nurturing, and valuable to all those who participate.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- The focus of this affinity group is to provide support for black educators and educators of color in the Cahokia School Unit School District in order to offer a healing space meant to encourage their continuance in the profession while being empowered to present culturally and authentically as their best self.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black/African American, Men & Women/Female/Male Identifying
- This affinity group is designed to create a safe and collaborative space where administrators of Color can connect, support each other and T.H.R.I.V.E.
Teaming together for
Health and Wellness
Recruitment and Retention
Inspiration and innovation
Values and Vision
Education and Enrichment
Sangamon
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group seeks to provide an affirming and healing space for administrators who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) to discuss and share experiences related to equity learning, leadership, and systems work. Group members will participate in extended professional learning related to the BIPOC experience as a district educator and administrator. This will include a series of optional book studies for discussion, learning, and sharing.
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- We are a collective of like minded educators striving to achieve professional and personal success through setting goals focused on the needs of ourselves and our environments.
Will
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), Women/Female Identifying
- This group aims to foster fellowship, build community, and provide mentoring opportunities. I understand the unique challenges faced by women balancing their roles as administrators, mothers, partners, and more. My goal is to offer a space where you can connect with others who share similar experiences, find support, and cultivate a sense of belonging.
Winnebago
- Open to surrounding districts
- Racial & Other Identify Markers Focus: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- This affinity group goal is to create and maintain a safe space to promote inclusion, comradery, healing, reflection, skills for collaboration and advocacy amongst educators of color Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and provide them with the resources needed to provide an effective education beneficial for both students and educators alike in the Rockford Region. The group will include traditional teachers, administrators and support staff such as school counselors, school social workers, school psychologist, school nurses and speech pathologist.
If you are interested in joining an affinity group, please complete this interest form.
Can't find an Affinity Group in your area, sign up for our virtual affinity group here
This affinity group seeks to create a brave inclusive space of belonging for Educators of Color who do not have an affinity group they can turn to in their area.
