Affinity Groups

Affinity Groups at Harvard Business School

At the School level, HBS is offering our employees the opportunity to establish Staff Affinity Groups to bring together colleagues who have shared identity. The focus for the group could be social, networking, advocacy, action, or a combination of a few or all of these options.

Established groups include:

Asian Coalition for Employees group: hbsace@hbs.edu
Black Staff Affinity group: blackstaffaffinitygroup@hbs.edu
Family (LGBTQ+): family@hbs.edu
Latinx Staff Affinity group: LatinXAffinityGroup@groups.hbs.edu

Employee Resource Groups at Harvard University

The Harvard University Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) strive to promote equal opportunity, awareness, and understanding of Harvard’s rich and diverse community, centering on the experiences of staff and faculty from historically-marginalized groups. Our efforts foster an environment of excellence, inclusion, and equity.

African-American

The Association of Black Faculty, Administrators and Fellows (ABFAF) strives to support and advocate for the University's Black community. We provide a means of communication, interaction and counseling for members through seminars, discussion groups, and social gatherings.

Asian & Asian American

As one of the Employee Resource Groups, the Association of Harvard Asian and Asian American Faculty and Staff (AHAAAFS) was established to provide opportunities for networking, career development, awareness, and support for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander faculty and staff. It also serves as a resource for the larger Asian and Asian American community at Harvard.

LatinX

The Association of Harvard Latinx Faculty and Staff (AHLFS) was founded in 2009, through grassroots efforts by a number of employees here at Harvard University. AHLFS was established to promote, support and advance the needs and goals of Latinx faculty and staff at Harvard University.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT)

All Harvard faculty and staff are welcome to join the Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus, which is open to students as well. Benefits of membership include access to the online membership database and participation in Harvard’s large LGBT community. There are also several networking and support groups that focus on organizing LGBT faculty and staff and helping them feel comfortable in the workplace. There are many additional LGBT networking groups at Harvard, generally directed at students but often welcoming to staff as well.

Native American

The Harvard University Native American Program’s mission is to bring together Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students and interested individuals from the Harvard community for the purpose of advancing the well-being of indigenous peoples through self-determination, academic achievement, and community service.

Women

The Committee on the Concerns of Women at Harvard (CCW) is a University-wide group, open to all faculty and staff. We strive to improve the professional and academic experiences of women at Harvard and provide opportunities to learn and network on campus through an annual calendar of events. We also provide leadership opportunities through service on our Executive Committee.

Other Resources

Advancing Racial Equity at HBS

We are resolved to take action to promote racial equity and diversity. We take seriously our responsibility to make business a force for good in our society. We know that structural racism has been ignored for too long. We hear the calls for the School to move swiftly to address the impacts of racism on our campus and in higher education. Read more about the Racial Equity Plan and find additional resources here.

Harvard University Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Under the leadership of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Sherri Charleston, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging acts as a convener, catalyst, capacity builder and community building resource. A wide array of workshops, events, and platforms for discussion is available to all staff – whether you belong to an underrepresented group, or are an ally. Visit ODIB here.

Harvard Neighbors

The volunteer group Harvard Neighbors helps both newcomers and more established members become acquainted with one another, through a wide variety of activities including knitting and book groups, non-English language discussion groups, and outings to museums and recreational sites. They support a number of special interest groups that employees can take part in.

HBS Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Harvard Business School announced that Terrill L. Drake has been named as the School’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDIO), effective September 1, 2021. We will share more details, including their landing page, as it develops.

Parents & Families

Harvard’s Office for Work/Life Balance helps Harvard’s diverse population find solutions to the daily challenges of personal, work, and family life. The office provides information and referrals to assist with all kinds of life events and to help employees manage unexpected disruptions of work or study. Thinking about day care options? Harvard has a wide variety of child care centers, including one right on the HBS campus.

Religion/Spirituality

The Harvard Chaplains nurture the spiritual and ethical lives of students, faculty and staff, and help them learn to listen to those who believe differently. Click here to find a listing of the many faith communities that meet at or near Harvard.

Spouses & Partners

Harvard Students’ Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA) is open to the spouses and partners of all Harvard students, post-docs, faculty, and staff. Since 1896, HSSPA has provided a way to make friends and enjoy a sense of belonging within the Harvard community. HSSPA sponsors outings, social events, and playgroups.