Building Inclusive Communities: Understanding Identity and Supporting Affinity Groups

Before we can effectively guide students in exploring their identities and fostering agency, we must first reflect on and deepen our understanding, individually and collaboratively. This work begins with adults examining their identities and experiences to model vulnerability and growth.

Explore how educators can uplift student voices and foster student agency in building thriving, inclusive school communities. Delve into the dynamics of identity development and discover how adults can support positive self-identity in students while equipping them to advocate for themselves and others. You’ll gain practical tools to create affinity spaces that empower student action and belonging. Let’s ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued as they navigate their unique identities and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our session is led by Rosetta Lee, a nationally recognized educator and facilitator on topics of equity and inclusion. She will lead us in group discussions and reflective learning.

This experience is designed for educators, school leader, and those in student support roles. We recommend registering a group to maximize the outcomes in your school.

Register

Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Walnut Hill School for the Arts
12 Highland St
Natick, MA 01760

REGISTER HERE

Note: Sales for this event end on Monday, March 3 at 5:00 PM Eastern.

AISNE seeks to create an inclusive learning environment for all. If you have accessibility questions or needs, please contact us at info@aisne.org. 

Agenda at a Glance

• 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Arrivals, Breakfast Bites, & Networking
• 9:30 – 11:30 AM | Part 1: Who We Are: Identity Development for Educators and Youth
• 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch
• 12:30 – 2:30 PM | Part 2: Affinity Groups: Why, What, and How
• 2:30 – 3:00 PM | Q&A and Learning Reflections

Agenda

Part 1: Who We Are: Identity Development for Educators and Youth
90 minutes

How do we learn about our various group identities like female, African American, Buddhist, gay, middle class, etc.? Why do some people develop proud and healthy self-identity and others experience own-group shame and hatred? How do identity dynamics show up in the classroom? Learn how we can, in age-appropriate ways, support positive self-identity in our students and teach them to be positive influences on others’ identities.  Together, we can co-create inclusive communities that work toward success for all. This section will include group discussions. 

Part 2: Affinity Groups: Why, What, and How
90 minutes

Many organizations utilize affinity groups to support members of the community, to increase the sense of belonging for members of historically marginalized groups, and to improve overall inclusivity. And yet, affinity groups are often misunderstood and objections can arise. This session provides time and space to explore what affinity groups are, what they do, and how they support people and communities. This session can also provide tools: how do we communicate what affinity groups are (and what they are not) and support them, whether we are members of affinity groups or not? Finally, this session can improve skills—how do we facilitate affinity groups well and avoid common pitfalls? 

About the Presenter

Rosetta Lee is an educator and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practitioner. As a faculty member at Seattle Girls School, Rosetta teaches subjects such as science, math, technology, art, ethics, social justice, and more. As a professional outreach specialist, she designs and delivers training for all constituencies of the school community, as well as the local and national educational and nonprofit sectors.

Since 2004, Rosetta has been a diversity speaker and trainer on a variety of topics, including cross-cultural communication, identity development, implicit and unconscious bias, gender and sexuality diversity, facilitation skills, and bullying in schools. This week, Rosetta presented at the assembly about identity and cultural competency. She spoke to our community about how who we are matters and how we show up in the world matters. We are all made up of multidimensional identities that insect and depending on what groups each of us belong to, it will impact how we see the world. 

Rosetta has presented at numerous conferences and nonprofit organizations such as the White Privilege Conference, Junior League, and City Year. She has also worked with over 200 K-12 public and independent schools throughout the country, as well as a number of colleges and universities. She has served several years on the faculty of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Diversity Leadership Institute, as well as NAIS’ diversity think-tank cadre, Call to Action. Her recognitions and awards include the Outstanding Partner in Education Award from the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research in 2007 and the Distinguished Teacher Award for the Washington Federation of Independent Schools 2005.

Sponsor

Thank you to FLIK Independent School Dining for their generous sponsorship of this workshop.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 10 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund, less a $100 administrative fee. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 3 business days before the start of the event, or the first event of a series of events.

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