Affinity Groups

ALF Affinity Groups are groups of Senior Fellows that convene around a common interest or goal. As part of our ongoing commitment to add value to the ALF Senior Fellow experience, we facilitate access to a diverse selection of affinity groups that focus on a variety of issues.

The ALF team can assist Senior Fellows with finding a group or can assist you in developing a group around a new issue. Learn how with our .Affinity Group DIY Guide (PDF).

ALF staff can assist with scheduling convenings, facilitation, and suggesting new members for maximum diversity and connection across classes. Joining an affinity group is a great way to build your network and find like-minded ALF Senior Fellows who want to have deep dialogues and find solutions to problems in our communities and beyond.

For more information about Affinity Groups, contact Chief Impact Officer Akemi Flynn.

AAPI Caucus

AAPI Senior Fellows and Fellows come together to:
-Build relationships and support Senior Fellows’/Fellows’ leadership
-Explore how we can work together to address issues important to us and our communities
-Provide leadership to inform others in the ALF network about AAPI issues and priorities

The group has identified the following priorities:
-Addressing anti-Asian racism and misunderstandings within AAPI communities
-Increasing AAPI leadership in elected/public offices and corporate boards
-Building relationships and power with other BIPOC leaders and communities of color

Check out the Making Waves | AAPI Voices project. Through an ongoing series of “letters” by ALF Senior Fellow guest contributors, we aim to share the experiences of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) with the broader ALF network. We are proud of AAPIs’ contributions to our multiracial society and believe we can help strengthen our community and democracy by sharing our stories to build understanding and solidarity.

Racial caucuses can provide “opportunities for those who share a common identity to meet separately to gather, connect, and learn.” Often, “caucusing can be a valuable component of an organization’s broader racial justice and equity and inclusion efforts,” including time in separate caucuses and time together in multi-racial community. ALF is continuing and deepening the work of bringing people together to build understanding and relationships across differences.

If you are interested in joining the AAPI, Black, Latino/a/x, or white anti-racist group, or creating another group, please contact Akemi Flynn.

ALF Black

Black Senior Fellows & Fellows come together to
-Build relationships and community for healing and collective power
-Explore how we can work together for learning and action to move beyond words

The group has identified the following priorities:
-Black Wealth & Empowerment
-Black Isolation & Mental Health
-Law Enforcement
-Faith Communities

Racial caucuses can provide “opportunities for those who share a common identity to meet separately to gather, connect, and learn.” Often, “caucusing can be a valuable component of an organization’s broader racial justice and equity and inclusion efforts,” including time in separate caucuses and time together in multi-racial community. ALF is also continuing and deepening the work of bringing people together to build understanding and relationships across differences.

If you are interested in joining the AAPI, Black, Latino/a/x, or white anti-racist group, or creating another group, please contact Akemi Flynn (Class XXVII).

Anti-Racist Learning Circle

The Anti-Racist Learning Circle is a space for white Senior Fellows to be in dialogue about how white people can be anti-racist leaders, and co-conspirators with people of color, for equity and belonging. This group explores historical and current systemic, structural and interpersonal racism. In this group, we:

  • Examine white fragility and how it shows up personally and institutionally
  • Explore what it means to be actively anti-racist and how to become an ally and co-conspirator
  • Provide a space to struggle and grapple with your own internalized racism

Racial caucuses can provide “opportunities for those who share a common identity to meet separately to gather, connect, and learn.” Often, “caucusing can be a valuable component of an organization’s broader racial justice and equity and inclusion efforts,” including time in separate caucuses and time together in multi-racial community. ALF is also continuing and deepening the work of bringing people together to build understanding and relationships across differences.

If you have any questions regarding this learning circle, contact Shiloh Ballard (Class XXVII).

Christian Affinity Group

ALF Senior Fellow Tina Brown (Class XLIII) invites Christian Senior Fellows meet, fellowship, offer and receive support, and build community together.

  • Do you feel the weight of responsibility to provide leadership and support for others in your Christian faith organizations and community, yet struggle to get that support for your own spiritual growth?
  • Are you sometimes unsure/hesitant about sharing your faith in professional or public spaces?

Share your interest and input here. The group will meet for quarterly check-ins.

Climate Action & Sustainability

This century’s largest and most urgent challenge is the threat to our global life support system from carbon emissions. We are no longer trying to avoid this climate change crisis but must respond and rework our way of life to carbon neutrality rapidly. ALF is interested in working with a diverse group of leaders to consider cross sector solutions to accelerate carbon reduction locally. Sustainability is critical for the world now and in the future.

For more information, contact Mark Bauhaus (Class XX).

Cultural New Deal Silicon Valley (CNDsv)

Cultural New Deal Silicon Valley (CNDsv) is a coalition of independent artists and arts organizations committed to working collectively for racial justice and cultural equity in Silicon Valley.

CNDsv is inspired and guided by the national Cultural New Deal initiative.

If you have any questions regarding this group, contact Akemi Flynn.

La Comunidad for Justice, Equity, and Inclusion

Latino/a/x Senior Fellows and Fellows come together to:
-Build relationships and community
-Learn together
-Work for impact to address racial/social justice and build Latino/a/x leadership and community power

The group has identified the following priorities:
-COVID Response & Recovery
-Economic Opportunities
-Immigration Reform

Racial caucuses can provide “opportunities for those who share a common identity to meet separately to gather, connect, and learn.” Often, “caucusing can be a valuable component of an organization’s broader racial justice and equity and inclusion efforts,” including time in separate caucuses and time together in multi-racial community. ALF is continuing and deepening the work of bringing people together to build understanding and relationships across differences.

If you are interested in joining the AAPI, Black, Latino/a/x, or white anti-racist group, or creating another group, please contact Akemi Flynn.

LGBTQ+ Affinity Group

LGBTQ+ Senior Fellows and Fellows meet periodically to be resources to each other and the network, to build relationships across classes, and to be available for possible collective action/advocacy.

For more information contact Ken Yeager (Class VI) or Jean-Marie White (Class XXXVI).

Muslim Affinity Group

ALF Senior Fellows have created the Muslim Affinity Group to connect across our ALF National Network and work together as a model of diverse leadership for an inclusive community. We are diverse Muslim Senior Fellows who welcome all who identify as Muslim and believe in Shahada, regardless of sectarian differences.

Group Purpose:

  • Apply our ALF values and practices to build understanding across differences and provide leadership for a more inclusive Muslim community.
  • Create a model for how diverse Muslim leaders can work together with respect across differences, shared Muslim values, and a collective commitment to addressing common concerns and priorities (e.g., supporting Muslim youth, building community power/influence, addressing Islamophobia)

Check out the ALF Muslim Affinity Group page from events, news, and updates.

Senior Fellows from Silicon Valley, Houston/Gulf Coast, Mountain Valley/Sacramento, Oregon, and other chapters meet periodically via Zoom. If you want to learn more or join the group, please contact Akemi Flynn.

Reflecting Life’s Journey (Formerly Life's Work Transitions Affinity Group)

For a decade, several ALF Senior Fellows have been meeting as the Life’s Work Transitions Group. It is the first and longest-running ALF Affinity Group, founded by Meri Maben (Class XXIV) and Naomi Fine (Class XX).

Even in its early years, our group’s “secret sauce” was its focus on authenticity. The group goes beyond sharing stories about what happened in each other’s lives. Instead, we reflect on the experiences that call our attention, move us to action, or make us feel strongly. Group members offer clarifying questions and constructive feedback to those sharing their life’s journey. The process allows each participant to LEARN, CONNECT, & GROW in an intimate, safe space. We welcome any ALF Senior Fellow interested in reflecting on their life’s journey. Please join us if you would like to learn, connect, and grow with other self-reflective Senior Fellows.

For more information and a Zoom invitation, contact Meri Maben.

San Francisco & East Bay Affinity Group

Senior Fellows and Fellows who live and work in San Francisco and the East Bay connect periodically to:

  • Build a greater sense of fellowship among Senior Fellows in San Francisco and the East Bay
  • Deepen a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the area, and how we might work together for solutions
  • Nominate more leaders from San Francisco and the East Bay to participate in the ALF Fellows Program

To connect with Senior Fellows in San Francisco and the East Bay, please contact Suzanne St. John-Crane (Class XXIV / Urban XXXIV).

San Mateo County Affinity Group

Senior Fellows and Fellows who live and work in San Mateo County connect periodically to:

  • Build a greater sense of fellowship among Senior Fellows in SMC
  • Deepen a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing SMC, and how we might work together for solutions
  • Nominate more leaders from SMC to participate in the ALF Fellows Program

To connect with Senior Fellows in San Mateo County, please contact Jayne Battey (Class XXIV).

 

“We are motivated by our passion and pain points and working to get beyond words to support Black leaders and the Black community.”

ALF Senior Fellow