Hawken Affinity Groups

Affinity groups represent a national best practice in independent school education and beyond and serve to help underrepresented groups feel a greater sense of belonging. Rosetta Lee, educator and expert diversity practitioner, describes affinity groups as "intentionally created space for people who have an identifier in common, e.g., race, gender, religion, family status, etc. Affinity groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and can speak to the experience of being a member of the group from the ‘I’ perspective.” 

Moreover, affinity groups provide a safe space for individuals to develop a strong sense of self, which helps in equipping them with the skills and strategies needed to thrive in environments where they may be in the minority. Research shows that "well-facilitated, racial affinity groups are gatherings that facilitate positive identity exploration, where people can pose questions and process issues. As a learning base, affinity groups offer affirmation of identity, empowerment of the individual, and empowerment of the group within the learning community." (NAIS)

Learn more from our students as they share their experiences with affinity groups in this latest video!