The effort to form the AAAPI ERG was led by Susan Cheng, senior associate dean for diversity, equity & inclusion and associate professor of family medicine at the School of Medicine, and Jesse Szeto, senior director of the Office of Research Services.
“Over the past two years of anti-Asian bias, violence and xenophobia heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have recognized a need to come together and support one another more,” says Cheng. “While identifying a need, there is also great joy in forming and building community and solidarity across Georgetown University.”
“From 2018 when we started a monthly lunch group together, the members of our community have found strength and built resilience in meeting and eating together,” says Szeto. “The ERG will highlight the diversity of our community from Pacific Islanders to South Asians to Southeast Asians to East Asians.”
ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that bring together employees who share common interests and backgrounds. They aim to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment at Georgetown and provide employees with opportunities for networking and community-building.
“We recognize and are grateful that many faculty and staff have long been involved in community-building, mutual support and common service to the university, and we look forward to formally supporting those efforts through the ERG program,” wrote Rosemary Kilkenny, vice president for institutional diversity and equity, chief diversity officer, and Anthony Kinslow, vice president and chief human resources officer, in an email announcing the establishment of ERGs.
Formed in time for National Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May, the AAAPI ERG will host its inaugural event with chef, entrepreneur and community-builder Erik Bruner-Yang as part of Georgetown’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“We want to highlight the power of community building and coming together in proactive ways to triumph over violence, racism and hate,” says Cheng. “It’s important for us to focus on our visibility, celebrate the depth and breadth of pan-Asian cultural heritages and to acknowledge the contributions of local DC entrepreneurs and community leaders like Chef Erik Bruner-Yang who have found ways to uplift the community and inspire hope.”
To learn more about the AAAPI ERG and to be added to the email list, employees can complete a general interest form.
Groups seeking to establish an ERG can submit a proposal for review by IDEAA and HR, including a designated senior leader who will sponsor the ERG and at least five current Georgetown employees who indicate they will join the ERG as members.
