About Us

BFSA Highlights

Mission

The mission of the Black Faculty and Staff Association is to help foster a culture of oneness for all by serving as an advocate that is dedicated to promoting and enhancing identity and professional welfare and growth through collaborations, community service, education, research, outreach and cultural activities among faculty, staff and students; and to be a critical resource for the continued success of Johns Hopkins in pursuit of its objectives towards an inclusive community by developing and cultivating working relationships with key administrators and operating units.

Goals

  1. Exert influence and participation of the Black community at JHU, both in terms of Black concerns and the total structure of the university;
  2. Advocate for the employment of a more representative number of Black faculty and staff (in particular at the senior staff level) at the Johns Hopkins University;Advocate for the admission of a more representative number of Black students (undergraduate and graduate) at the Johns Hopkins University;
  3. Promote professional excellence, scholarship and cooperative research among Black faculty, staff and students;
  4. Urge the JHU to provide equal educational and careers opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility for all members of the Black community;
  5. Provide JHU with a comprehensive and representative Black perspective on institutional, societal and programmatic development at the JHU and in the community;
  6. Serve as a resource bureau for JHU and the Black community;
  7. Provide both leadership and supportive service on the administrative and academic levels to facilitate the delivery of efficient and effective service to all elements of the JHU;
  8. Stimulate a sense of social responsibility and cultural sensitivity to improve communication among Black faculty, staff and students.

Foundational Priorities

The Black Faculty and Staff Association’s (BFSA) role is to help ensure the fair and equitable treatment of Blacks and BIPOC members 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 foundational priorities:

  1. Increasing membership of the BFSA.
  2. Offering membership support/services, opportunities, programs, participation, and engagement.
  3. Supporting policies and practices that include expanding collective bargaining rights and their opportunity to participate in the BFSA.
  4. 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.
  5. Advocating for increased HR benefits and resources including but not limited to housing, tuition, incentives, childcare, and retirement.
  6. Offering programs and forums that supplement and support mentorship, recruiting, recognition, training, and retention.
  7. Offering leadership training and mentorship for members who are interested in serving on ERG’s, committees, and councils.
  8. Supporting members with complaint resolution (guiding to appropriate office).
  9. Advocating for and ensuring University Leaders, University Administration, Leadership and Board of Trustees embrace and include the BFSA in shared governance for presenting the views, issues, and concerns of the faculty and staff as a whole. Including but not limited to leadership appointments, search committees, interview & review panels, communications, naming.
  10. Banding together in solidarity and with civility to make workplace improvements.
  11. Offering a platform for dialogue and listening and learning sessions facilitated between the BFSA and Johns Hopkins leadership at all levels.
  12. Celebrating heritage, diversity, and cultural events.
  13. Recognizing faculty, staff, students, and members for their contributions to the Johns Hopkins community.
  14. 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.
  15. Preserving and archiving the living history, work, and legacy of the BFSA.
  16. Cultivating a strong sense of community and shared values
  17. Building community and fostering within the BFSA a brave space for listening, sharing, resources, support, and understanding of working and learning experiences
  18. Building a community within the BFSA a network to offer support related to experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
  19. Holding Johns Hopkins leadership accountable.
  20. 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, the Society of Black Alumni (SOBA), and others.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. Promoting professional excellence, scholarship, and cooperative research among Black faculty, staff and students.
  24. Urging Johns Hopkins leadership to provide equal educational and careers opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility for all members of the Black community.
  25. 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.
  26. Providing a community within the BFSA that offers information, knowledge and opportunities related to:
  • personal growth
  • professional development
  • career advancement
  • professional fulfillment
  • retaining the excellence of BIPOC members, faculty, and staff
  • identifying leaders internally
  • supporting engagement and networking opportunities
  • and ensuring that our efforts help to shape a more inclusive culture that supports, celebrates, and values diversity and belonging