Foundational Priorities of the BFSA
The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) was first envisioned during a lunch meeting at the Polo Grill in the Colonnade Baltimore, in early 1995 as seven Hopkins employees, all Black from seven different departments, who held positions of senior staff or faculty, discussed what they saw as the University's inadequate response to a white staff's physical assault of a Black colleague.
Since it’s the founding in 1995, the BFSA pre-eminently stands as an active organization across this institution with a strong mission, indispensable history, and deep legacy. Our events, programs, and initiatives embody values that embrace members, people, culture, personal enrichment, professional development, advancement, institutional knowledge, resources, and a strong network for advocacy and change across the Johns Hopkins enterprise and ecosystem.
The Black Faculty and Staff Association’s (BFSA) role is to help ensure the fair and equitable treatment of Blacks at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and to be a critical resource for growing inclusivity in pursuit of its objectives towards an inclusive community. We continue to develop and cultivate working relationships with our senior administration and operating units here at Johns Hopkins, and serve as a trusted resource, advocate, and credible messenger for faculty, staff, and students.
The BFSA is dedicated to serving members and the Johns Hopkins community. It is in this spirit and vein that we design but are not limited to the following priorities:
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Increasing membership of the BFSA.
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Offering membership support/services, opportunities, programs, participation, and engagement.
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Supporting policies and practices that include expanding collective bargaining rights and their opportunity to participate in the BFSA.Advocating for transparency in sharing and reporting of HR reporting which include but are not limited to cola/merit increases, higher wages, market-rate salaries, equity reviews and audits.
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Advocating for transparency in sharing and reporting of HR reporting which include but are not limited to cola/merit increases, higher wages, market-rate salaries, equity reviews and audits.
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Advocating for increased HR benefits and resources including but not limited to housing, tuition, incentives, childcare, and retirement.
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Offering programs and forums that supplement and support mentorship, recruiting, recognition, training, and retention.
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Offering leadership training and mentorship for members who are interested in serving on ERG’s, committees, and councils.
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Supporting members with complaint resolution (guiding to appropriate office).
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Banding together in solidarity and with civility to make workplace improvements.Offering a platform for dialogue and listening and learning sessions facilitated between the BFSA and Johns Hopkins leadership at all levels.
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Offering a platform for dialogue and listening and learning sessions facilitated between the BFSA and Johns Hopkins leadership at all levels.
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Celebrating heritage, diversity, and cultural events.
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Recognizing faculty, staff, students, and members for their contributions to the Johns Hopkins community.
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Managing the Indispensable Role of Blacks which is a prestigious exhibit designed to recognize Black students, faculty and staff who have contributed to this institution’s rich history and who have brought honor to the institution through their achievements, work, and service.
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Preserving and archiving the living history, work, and legacy of the BFSA.
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Cultivating a strong sense of community and shared values
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Building community and fostering within the BFSA a brave space for listening, sharing, resources, support, and understanding of working and learning experiences
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Building a community within the BFSA a network to offer support related to experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
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Holding Johns Hopkins leadership accountable.
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Providing a community within the BFSA that offers information, knowledge and opportunities related to:o personal growth
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o personal growth
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o professional development
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o career advancement
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o professional fulfillment
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o retaining the excellence of BIPOC members, faculty, and staff
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o identifying leaders internally
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o supporting engagement and networking opportunities
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o ensuring that our efforts help to shape a more inclusive culture that supports, celebrates, and values diversity and belonging
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o collaborate with similar ERG’s, University groups and committees, affinity groups such as the Black Student Union (BSU), Latino Alliance, DRIVE, DAR Black Employee Resource Group, iDARE, and the Society of Black Alumni (SOBA).
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Increase funding, engagement, transparency, commitment from Johns Hopkins leadership to meet the BFSA’s priorities and sustain and to grow our high-quality network of people, programs, and activities.
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Advocating for the employment, retention, and promotion of a more representative number of Black faculty and staff (in particular at the senior staff level) at Johns Hopkins University.
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Promoting professional excellence, scholarship, and cooperative research among Black faculty, staff and students.
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Urging Johns Hopkins leadership to provide equal educational and careers opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility for all members of the Black community;
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Serving as a resource bureau for Johns Hopkins University and the Black and BIPOC community including all members and everyone who identify with the work of the BFSA.
