Staff Advisory Council (SAC)

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups help unite members of the Brown community who have shared identities, interests, or backgrounds.

Co-chairs: Latasha Johnson, Dr. Madelyn Ritchie Hilbert

Being Black@ Brown is dedicated to supporting Black-identified members within the university community. It fosters a sense of belonging through community building, provides educational and professional development opportunities, and serves as a safe haven. The group advocates for diversity in recruitment and retention, shares information, engages in community service, and promotes cultural celebration. Its mission is to contribute to the flourishing of all diverse faculty, postdocs, and staff by addressing their unique needs and creating an inclusive environment.

Membership in employee affinity groups is open to all faculty, postdocs, and staff at Brown University regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities.

Co-chairs: Dionne Gomez, Carleia Lighty

Black Women @Brown is an employee affinity group at Brown University focused on interests related to Black women in the Brown University community. The group will offer a positive option for connection to uplift the professional experiences and concerns of Black women at Brown. We seek to create a safe space to ask difficult questions, engage in meaningful conversations, and be diligent as we lift each other up with purpose. This group will also serve as a space to celebrate accomplishments and successes regarding all aspects of our lives.

Membership in employee affinity groups is open to all faculty, postdocs, and staff at Brown University regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities.

If you would like to join, please contact Becca at becca_manning_szabo@brown.edu or Frank at frank_garcia-ornelas@brown.edu. In the meantime, please help plan for the year by filling out this brief Google survey about what you're looking for — when and where you'd like to meet, what activities you'd like us to facilitate, and what resources we can help connect you with.

University Rainbow Staff Alliance (URSA) strives to maintain a welcoming and inclusive community for Brown University staff with diverse expressions of gender and sexuality through empowerment, education, and engagement.