Affinity Groups | The Buckley School

Student Affinity Groups

Buckley is pleased to offer five student affinity groups, led by students and faculty. These groups promote student-based work and aim to honor the conversations, experiences, and efforts students hope to bring into a shared space, either on- or off-campus.

Our student affinity groups include:

AAPI Student Association (for students in grades 9-12 who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander)
Black Student Union (for students in grades 6-12 who identify as Black or African American)
LAMBDA Affinity Group (for students in grades 6-12 who identify as LGBTQIA+)
Latinos Unidos (for students in grades 9-12 who identify as Hispanic or Latino/a)
Middle Eastern/North African Affinity Group (for students in grades 8-12) who identify as Middle Eastern or North African)

Family Affinity Groups

A family affinity group's aim is to be a support for those with similar identities. Buckley's five family affinity groups are led by parents/guardians, with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the Parents' Association. The PA and the DEI Office help advise each group by facilitating conversations and brainstorming, while the parents and guardians who lead each group are responsible for developing programming, organizing events, and more.

Our family groups include:

AAPI Family Network (for families who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander)
Heritage Families (for families who identify as Black or African American)
LAMBDA Family Network (for families who identify as LGBTQIA+)
Latino(a)/Hispanic Family Network (for families who identify as Latino/a or Hispanic)
Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Family Network (for families who identify as Middle Eastern or North African)

"Affinity groups allow students who share an identity — usually a marginalized identity — to gather and talk in a safe space about issues related to that identity. By doing so they can transfer that discussion into action which makes for a more equitable experience at school."

-Monita K. Bell, author of "Making Space"

Affinity Groups vs. Clubs

A club is a group on campus that is open to anyone (within a particular division or grade level) who wants to participate in the organization's effort. On the other hand, an affinity group is a space created solely for those who identify as members of a particular group. These affinity groups are designed so that people belonging to a certain identity feel that they can share their common experiences openly and safely in a trusting and understanding environment.

A good example to illustrate this distinction occurs between Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club vs. the LAMBDA affinity group. The former is open to anyone, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or allies; the latter is a space for those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and allyship is not a component.

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