FSLN Racial Affinity Groups – Call for Facilitators

Racial Affinity Groups are spaces for individuals with a shared racial identity to be in community with each other and talk openly about how their identity is uniquely shaped and impacted by racism and white supremacy. By doing so, we embark on the journey of individual and collective liberation and healing.   

For folks of all racial identities working within the farming and food system in the US, which has been built on discrimination, racism, and exploitation, racial affinity groups can be a powerful strategy for creating equitable and just food systems.  

For BIPOC people, racial affinity groups are a space to talk about the impact of racism, interrupt experiences of internalized racism, and develop relationships of trust and solidarity. For white people, racial affinity groups provide time and space to understand and grapple with the sweeping impact of white supremacy culture, begin dismantling internalized white supremacy, and support white peers to identify and disrupt the thought, speech, and behavior patterns that perpetuate white supremacy.

To read more about racial affinity groups (sometimes called racial caucusing) check out these resources:

FSLN and Racial Affinity Groups

The FSLN sees Racial Affinity Groups as a key strategy for dismantling racism. 

Over the years we have partnered with members to facilitate racial affinity groups in cohort programs and convenings, and members have continued to express the need for affinity spaces. To answer this call, we will be hosting a 6-month FSLN Racial Affinity Group Pilot Program. 

Applications for facilitators are closed. We will announce the facilitators and share applications for affinity groups in January 2024.

Prompts for facilitators to consider include: 

What is the purpose of the group – is it focused on community care and wellbeing, or will you be working through specific challenges (or both!)? What will participants gain from their engagement? What will they offer? What identity/identities (racial, organizational role, etc.) do you want to convene around? A few examples: BIPOC executive directors, BIPOC staff in white-led organizations, LGBTQIA people, white women, Latinx/a/o, indigenous people, Black women/men, etc.  

It’s important to recognize that while Racial Affinity Groups are beneficial, they are also inherently flawed. It is nearly impossible to account for the full spectrum of intersecting identities, and without skilled facilitation there is increased risk for causing harm.

FSLN will coordinate facilitator-only calls so that facilitators can work through challenges, exchange ideas, and develop relationships. Facilitators will be required to attend kick-off and wrap-up meetings and will have the option to join for check-in calls throughout.

Compensation: 

We are committed to honoring the time and energy facilitators will dedicate to this role. We have a maximum budget of $10,000 to support Racial Affinity Groups this year. We estimate facilitators will spend approximately 15 hours of time over 6 months in this role and are offering between $1,500 – $2,000 per Racial Affinity Group. We anticipate hosting around 5 racial affinity groups.

Updated timeline (as of November 2023):

August-September 2023: Call for facilitators open 

December 2023: Facilitators selected  

January 2024: Facilitator kick off call and sign-ups for Racial Affinity Groups 

February 2024 – June 2024: Racial Affinity Groups Meet 

July 2024 – Facilitator wrap-up meeting

We are looking for facilitators who:

Facilitator Responsibilities:

FSLN Backbone Team Responsibilities:

Anticipated Structure:

We invite selected facilitators to determine the best structure for their group. During the facilitator kick off call, we will encourage facilitators to think through the size, sign-up method, and the duration and frequency of calls for their specific Racial Affinity Group.

Some structures to consider:

(1) Closed group: participation numbers are capped, participants register in advance or apply to participate, participants are expected to attend all calls

(2) Open group: participation is unlimited, participants do not need to register in advance, participants are not expected to attend all calls

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

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