Our BIPOC Equity Affinity Group was established in 2018 as a community of staff dedicated to building connections, sharing experiences and fostering equity within NWRESD. We hold monthly meetings throughout the school year for NWRESD staff and our component school district staff who identify as a person of color.

The group, led by staff of color, is dedicated to cultivating connection and validation in a supportive and engaging space that reflects the diverse needs and interests of our members. It is a community that provides safety, honor and authenticity of one’s true self, and awareness of shared history and lived experiences.

Themes of monthly meetings include:

• Community Care and Well-Being (e.g. peer-checkins, group activities, wellness strategies)
• Mental Health and Self-Care (e.g., mindfulness exercises, stress management tips, mental health resources, health benefits)
• NWRESD Updates and Policies (e.g., equity policy changes, wellness initiatives, antiracism efforts, equity learning opportunities)
• Racial Politics and Systemic Barriers (e.g., discussions on colorism, historical inequities, racial representation in leadership)
• Cultural Heritage and Celebration (e.g. heritage month events, cultural histories & storytelling)
• Systemic Barriers (e.g., school-to-prison pipeline, redlining, access to educational resources)
• Advocacy and Action on Equity Issues (e.g., organizing for policy change, creating action plans, allyship strategies)
• Joy and Resilience (e.g. sharing success stories, resilience workshops, gratitude practices)
• Leadership and Professional Growth (e.g., mentorship opportunities, navigating leadership as a person of color, skill-building workshops)
• Current Events and Social Justice (e.g. discussions on policy changes, protests, equity in education, legislative issues, local advocacy work)
• Identity and Intersectionality (e.g., exploring overlapping identities, discussing experiences of LGBTQ+ BIPOC staff, religious diversity)
• Creative Expression and Healing (e.g., art therapy, writing workshops, music as a tool for resilience)