President’s Messages
August 12, 2024 "A Call to Serve"
Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
The Black Faculty & Staff Association (BFSA) at Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Johns Hopkins Health System has been a beacon of advocacy, community, and empowerment since its founding in 1995. As we continue our mission to foster an inclusive and equitable environment for all, we are reaching out to you to join our remarkable journey by becoming a part of the BFSA Executive Board.
Our organization plays a pivotal role in ensuring the fair treatment of BIPOC faculty and staff at Johns Hopkins and serves as a critical resource for promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across the university. The work we do is impactful, but we cannot do it alone. We need passionate, committed, and visionary leaders to help guide our initiatives and ensure that the voices of our community are heard and respected.
Serving on the BFSA Executive Board is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of our colleagues and in the broader Johns Hopkins community. As a board member, you will be at the forefront of driving change, advocating for policies that promote fairness and equality, and fostering a culture of unity and support. To serve on the BFSA Executive Board, you must be a current member of the BFSA and currently/presently employed within the Johns Hopkins enterprise.
This is more than just a role; it is a chance to leave a lasting legacy and to be part of a movement that values the contributions and presence of Black faculty and staff. We invite you to bring your unique perspective, skills, and passion to our board, helping us to continue the important work of the BFSA.
The BFSA is one of the longest standing employee-led volunteer organization across the Hopkins enterprise that serves black and BIPOC faculty, staff, and students and includes and is not limited to all. The BFSA is also one of the longest standing and operating Employee Resource Groups among institutions of higher learning across this country, which dates back to the civil right movements.
ALL members - faculty, staff, students, leaders, and affiliates of Johns Hopkins have been both a voluntary and involuntary beneficiary & benefactor of the BFSA's will, work, history, legacy, initiatives, and mission to this very day! I’d like to clarify a common misconception: the BFSA is open to everyone, not just to Black members.
If you are interested in making a meaningful impact and contributing to the success of the BFSA and Johns Hopkins University, we encourage you to consider joining our executive team. Together, we can continue to build a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.
Again, thank you for your interest in serving on the BFSA Executive Board! We will review your interest form and reach out to you with next steps. Together, we can continue to make a difference.
Warm regards,
Jerrell Bratcher
President | Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Health System
https://jhu.campusgroups.com/BFSA/[email protected]
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrelldb
https://www.facebook.com/jhu.bfsa
Dear New Members of the Johns Hopkins Community,
Welcome to Johns Hopkins University! As you embark on this exciting new journey, we want you to know that you are not just joining an institution—you are becoming part of a vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive community. We recognize that starting a new position brings opportunities, challenges, and aspirations, and we want to ensure that you have the support, resources, and advocacy necessary to thrive.
The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) is here to be that support. Established in 1995, the BFSA has worked tirelessly to advocate for policies and initiatives that enhance the experiences of all employees across Johns Hopkins. We are not just an affinity group, we are not just an ERG—we are a movement for equity, professional growth, and community building. All employees can request to join the BFSA Email list to receive communications and updates about events, resources, programs, activities: [email protected]
Why Join the BFSA? https://bfsa.jhu.edu/bfsa-membership/ - dues are $10 annually and an option for a Lifetime membership at $100
At its core, the BFSA is about tangible change. Our efforts have directly contributed to:
✅ Equity Reviews & Pay Audits – Ensuring fair compensation and transparency in hiring and promotions.
✅ Staff Composition Report – Advocating for public disclosure of demographic data to promote accountability in diversity efforts.
✅ Career Architecture Initiative – Creating clearer career pathways and opportunities for professional growth.
✅ New Center for Staff Life Design – Providing innovative career and life planning resources for employees.
✅ Paid Volunteer Days – Allowing employees time to give back to the community.
✅ Increased Benefits & Incentives – Expanding access to housing assistance, tuition support, childcare benefits, and more.
✅ Juneteenth as a Recognized Holiday – Advocating for institutional recognition of this historic day.
✅ Time for ERGs & Affinity Groups – Ensuring that employees can actively engage in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and affinity groups during work hours.
✅ Employee Recognition & Mentorship Programs – Supporting career development through mentorship and acknowledging contributions to the Hopkins community.
✅ Universitywide & Divisional Staff Councils – Establishing platforms where staff voices are heard and shape institutional decisions.
✅ Increased Funding for Community Engagement – Securing resources for initiatives that support underserved communities.
These are not just ideas—we have pushed for and achieved real change at Johns Hopkins. But there is still more to do, and we need you to be part of this momentum.
The BFSA is for Everyone
While our name reflects our commitment to advocating for Black faculty and staff, our mission is rooted in the principles of equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all. The BFSA is a space where faculty and staff—regardless of race, background, or identity—come together to uplift one another, advocate for better workplace policies, and build a more just and inclusive Hopkins community.
Join Us. Be the Change.
By becoming a member, you are joining a collective force that is shaping the future of Johns Hopkins. You are aligning with colleagues who are working to ensure that all employees—including you—have access to fair wages, professional development, institutional transparency, and a workplace that values and respects every individual.
The BFSA is your voice, your community, and your advocate. We invite you to join us today and be a part of something bigger.
With Purpose and Solidarity,
The Black Faculty and Staff Association
Jerrell Bratcher
President | Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Health System
June 19, 2025 "A Juneteenth Message"
Today, we gather in remembrance, reflection, and resolute hope.
Juneteenth is not just a holiday—it is a mirror. A mirror that reflects both the unbearable weight of our nation’s original sin and the immeasurable strength, brilliance, and resilience of those who survived it. It marks the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached the last of the enslaved in Galveston, Texas—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
But let’s be clear: while Juneteenth commemorates delayed freedom, it also confronts us with an enduring truth—freedom delayed is still freedom denied. And in this moment, in 2025, we are still pressing forward.
We live in a time where history is being silenced in classrooms, where justice is uneven, and where the very act of naming systemic racism is under siege. From voter suppression laws to attacks on DEI efforts, from bans on books to the rise of hate crimes, the forces of regression are loud, well-funded, and coordinated. And yet—we are louder. Our ancestors’ voices echo through us. We are their wildest dreams and their unfinished prayers.
Juneteenth demands we honor their legacy not only with celebration, but with commitment. A commitment to remember, resist, and reimagine.
To remember that we are the descendants of scientists, builders, healers, dreamers—of brilliance that predates bondage.
To resist every policy, every structure, every lie that tells us we are anything less than whole.
And to reimagine a nation that does not just tolerate Blackness, Brownness, and Indigeneity—but values it, centers it, and is transformed by it.
As President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins, I am deeply honored to serve in a role that uplifts the voices and experiences of those who too often go unseen. Our presence here is not just professional—it is prophetic. We are building new legacies in medicine, research, education, and service, and doing so in the face of history.
So, on this Juneteenth, I ask you—where do you literally, figuratively, and proverbially stand? What will you do with your freedom? And how will you ensure it is not just remembered, but realized—for everyone and for all?
Freedom is not a finish line. It is a fight. And it is our sacred inheritance to keep pushing.
May we never grow weary in our talk.
May we never stop building in our walk.
And may we never stop believing in our song - that a more just, more honest, and more liberated America is not only possible—it is our birthright.
Johns Hopkins University under the leadership of President Daniels, through the request and petition of the BFSA, first recognized Juneteenth as an official university holiday in 2021, following the national movement after the murder of George Floyd and about a month before President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The State of Maryland recognized Juneteenth as a permanent, official state holiday in May of 2022.
Happy Juneteenth!
In power, in remembrance, in honor, in truth, in solidarity, and in purpose,
Jerrell Bratcher
President, Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University | Medicine | Health System
June 15, 2025 "A Father’s Day Message to the Fathers Who Lead with Love and Legacy"
To all fathers—and to the fathering souls who show up with strength, love, understanding, support, wisdom, and unwavering presence—today we honor you.
You are more than providers. You are protectors, teachers, nurturers, and builders of dreams and resilience. In a world that often demands more than it gives, you rise—each day—with grace, vision, and resilience. Your sacrifices, your quiet courage, your laughter, and lessons ripple through generations.
We especially recognize Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, and marginalized fathers—those navigating systems that too often overlook or undermine your humanity. Your role in our homes, communities, and the greater society is indispensable. You deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.
This Father’s Day, we call not just for celebration, but for commitment—a commitment from our government, institutions, and one another to ensure that fathers have what they need to thrive:
Paid leave. Affordable childcare. Quality healthcare. Livable wages. Criminal justice reform. Dignity. Opportunity. Respect.
Because when we uplift fathers, we strengthen families, we empower communities, and we build a better future for us all.
To the fathers who lead with love and legacy—Happy Father’s Day. We see you. We need you.
We stand with you.
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Oh, P.S. On this Father’s Day I’d like to say this….
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Esteemed Members of the Black Faculty and Staff Association,
I write to you today with a resolute commitment and an unwavering dedication to the future of our community at Johns Hopkins. These past few years have tested our resilience, challenged our progress, and demanded that we stand firmer than ever in the face of adversity. From landmark Supreme Court rulings reshaping the landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), to critical shifts in federal policy affecting NIH research funding, OCR guidance, and workplace protections—each of these moments has underscored the urgency of our collective work.
Within our own institution, we have witnessed and navigated significant changes—some that have made national headlines, others that have directly impacted our working conditions, our security, our sense of belonging, and our ability to thrive as faculty and staff, while progressing and moving forward, nevertheless. The evolving role of higher education, the impact of decisions made at the highest levels of government, and the shifting priorities of this current White House administration, federal government, DoGE, DOE, DOJ, and other entities have left no corner of this work untouched. At Johns Hopkins, we have been forced to reckon with critical matters that shape our institution, from structural funding concerns to matters of academic freedom, student, faculty and staff retention, and our university’s ongoing relationship with Baltimore’s communities.
Through it all, I have stood beside you—not as a passive observer, but as an advocate, a voice, and a champion for our needs. However, this is not a moment for temporary leadership, service, or resolve; it is a time for sustained, focused, and strategic leadership, and getting us through the long haul.
With that in mind, I am expressing my deep and intentional interest in continuing to serve beyond the current term as President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association “an Obama-like term”. We are in a uniquely different and defining era, circumstance, and position, and I believe that the stability, advocacy, and vision of this association are critical to ensuring that we not only withstand these challenges but emerge stronger, more united, and more influential than ever before.
Our work is not complete – i.e. among those are an office space, IRB Museum space, and a leadership development pipeline program for faculty & staff interested in serving on ERGs like the BFSA, councils, and others. The fight for equitable policies, meaningful institutional accountability, and the protection of spaces where Black faculty and staff can lead, innovate, and thrive remains at the forefront of my mission. The voices in our classrooms, research labs, administrative offices, and community engagement efforts deserve a steadfast commitment that does not waver when the road ahead looks uncertain.
I am prepared to continue this servant work —with clarity, determination, a bold vision, a mission-driven focus, and with a steadfast belief that our presence and contributions to Johns Hopkins and beyond must not only be acknowledged but prioritized. I look forward to the conversations ahead and the opportunity to continue leading in service of our shared mission.
In solidarity and service,
Jerrell Bratcher
President, Black Faculty and Staff Association at JHU/JHM/JHHS
June 10, 2025 "A Time of Historic Leadership at Hopkins: Celebrating Bold Appointments and Honoring a Powerful Legacy"
Dear BFSA Hopkins Community,
It is with uncontainable joy and immense pride, I write to you today as President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) during a monumental moment in our institution’s history — a season of transformation, elevation, and legacy-building.
Please join me in offering our loudest congratulations and deepest admiration for two phenomenal leaders who are stepping into extraordinary roles:
Tiffany Wright, Esq., has officially been named Senior Vice President and General Counsel for The Johns Hopkins University. Tiffany is the first Black woman to serve as the university’s chief legal officer — a groundbreaking and inspiring moment for all of us. She brings brilliance, courage, and a justice-centered lens to a critical seat of influence. Her appointment is a reflection of not only her tremendous expertise but also of the ever-evolving, more inclusive leadership landscape we continue to fight for and build upon.
Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter, a trailblazer, scholar, and beloved colleague, has been named Dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health — making her the first Black woman to serve in this prestigious position. As a dedicated public health leader and visionary, her appointment marks a new chapter in the school’s legacy — one rooted in health equity, academic excellence, and community-centered leadership.
These appointments represent more than just new titles — they are proof that change is not only possible but is happening right now, and that Black excellence is a cornerstone of our institution’s future.
At the same time, it is with profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation that we acknowledge the transition of Dr. Katrina Caldwell, who recently transitioned from her role as Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer. Dr. Caldwell brought wisdom, leadership, vision, grace, and powerful strategy to the work and our framework of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across Johns Hopkins. Her leadership touched every corner of our campuses and served as a guiding light for many, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds. The BFSA honors her legacy and the foundation she has laid for the continued advancement of inclusive excellence.
Let us celebrate. Let us reflect. Let us continue to rise.
To Tiffany and Keshia — we see you, we celebrate you, and we stand with you.
To Dr. Caldwell — thank you. You are etched into the narrative of progress at Hopkins.
In solidarity and celebration,
Jerrell Bratcher
President | Black Faculty and Staff Association at JHU/JHM/JHHS
May 26, 2025 "A Memorial Day Message to Those Who Serve—and the Sacred Legacy They Carry"
On this solemn and sacred day, we pause to remember. To honor the lives lost in service to this nation. To lift up the stories, the sacrifices, and the silent burdens borne by those in uniform—and those who love them.
To the fallen, we owe more than words. We owe action.
And to the living—to veterans, active-duty members, and those preparing to wear the uniform—you are not forgotten in today’s remembrance. You are the guardians of legacy, the stewards of duty, and the quiet strength behind our collective freedoms. You serve not for recognition, but out of purpose. Still, you deserve both.
This Memorial Day, we also recognize that service does not look the same for everyone. For our Black, Brown, Indigenous, and immigrant service members—those who have too often given everything while receiving less in return—we see you. We honor the unique courage it takes to serve a country still wrestling with how to serve you in return.
Service should not come at the cost of safety, dignity, or access.
Let this day be more than memory. Let it be a movement. A movement that demands better care for mental health. Greater access to housing and education. Robust support for military families. Real justice for veterans impacted by discriminatory policies. And a system that values not just your sacrifice, but your full humanity.
As a nation, we must rise to meet the standard set by those we honor. And as we lower our flags in remembrance, we must also raise our voices in commitment—to equity, to healing, and to a future where those who serve are truly served in return.
To all who’ve given their lives—and to those who live with that legacy—thank you. We remember. We honor. We vow to do better.
With reverence, resolve, and solidarity,
Jerrell Bratcher, President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) at JHU/JHM/JHHS
The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA)
May 11, 2025 "A Mother’s Day Message to the Women Who Make the World Possible"
To every mother and mothering soul—those who gave us life, who raised us, and who continue to carry us forward in love and purpose—this day is for you.
You are the givers of life, builders of dreams, keepers of wisdom, and the quiet, unwavering strength behind so much of what is good in this world. You nurture not only children, but entire communities. You hold joy and pain in the same breath—and still press forward.
Today, we celebrate you not just with flowers and words, but with deep appreciation for all you carry and all you give. In a time when the world often asks too much of you and returns too little, we recognize that true honor means more than just sentiment—it means support, action, and justice.
You deserve more than our gratitude. You deserve longer paid leave, affordable childcare, maternal health protections, safe communities, and policies that see your work, your worth, and your well-being as essential—not optional, and so much more.
This Mother’s Day and every day may our praise be matched by purpose. Let our love turn into policy, our admiration into advocacy. Because when we care for mothers, we care for the future. And there is no future without you.
We see you. We celebrate you. And we commit to building a world that lifts you as high as you lift all of us.
With boundless love, hope, and solidarity,
The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA)
Jerrell Bratcher, President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) at JHU/JHM/JHHS
February 28, 2025 "Black History Month: Today, we stand at a historic crossroads-a moment in time charged..."
Today, we stand at a historic crossroads—a moment in time charged with the weight of our past and the promise of our future.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we affirm that our history is not merely a chapter in a textbook or a book to be banned from thought, theory, library, classroom or shelf, but a living, breathing, old, new, and perpetual testament to the spirit of freedom, resilience, and excellence that courses through all of our veins - across all dispensations and generations. In the face of policies and rhetoric aimed at diminishing our legacy, we declare with unyielding pride that the contributions of Black and Brown ancestors, trailblazers, abolitionists, creators, inventors, intellectuals, scholars, and innovators remain indelibly etched into the story of our nation.
Our history is prolific and powerful. It sings with the voices of those who forged paths through the darkest of times, whose courage lit the way for future generations. It is beautiful and thoughtful—a mosaic of experiences that embodies the deep wisdom of our elders and the vibrant passion of our youth. Today, as certain forces in our country seek to erase what we hold sacred, we respond with a resounding message: our heritage is our strength, and our narrative cannot and will not be silenced. We hold the melody of freedom & justice, which reminds us that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do. The more we learn about who we are and how we got here, the more we must mobilize, unify, band together, act, and participate in this work.
In this moment, let us be reminded that every executive order, action, thought, and word intended to undermine Black history only strengthens our resolve. Such things only inflate, compound, tax, and levy and increase on the debt of our reparation. Our resilience is not measured by the challenges we face but by the collective determination to rise, unify, act, motivate, lead, shape, to innovate, and to create a future where our contributions are celebrated, and not questioned. We are resolute in our commitment to honor the legacy of those who came before us and to forge ahead with the same spirit of innovation and excellence.
Let this Black History Month (365) be an uplifting call to action—a rallying cry that echoes the proud, spirit-filled voices of our ancestors. We celebrate not only the milestones of our past but also the boundless potential of our future. With passion and pride, we carry forward the torch of liberation, creativity, and knowledge, illuminating every corner of our society with the brilliance of our history.
In unity and determination, we stand firm, always reclaiming our narrative and the narrative and affirming that Black history is not up for debate, deliberate, dispute, denial, discrimination, decease, dissolution, or disrespect —it is the very foundation upon which a just, democracy, diverse, inclusive, and equitable society is built.
In humble, bold brilliance, and truth,
The Black Faculty and Staff Association
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Black History Month Virtual Festival Media Toolkit
https://asalh.org/festival/media-toolkit/#bhm
#runtellthat #micdrop #jointheBFSA
Join BFSA: https://bfsa.jhu.edu/bfsa-membership/
Request to join BFSA Mailing list: [email protected]
Go to the sympa link and self-subscribe to email lists that you’d like to join below to get updates about events, programs, and activities https://lists.jh.edu/sympa/home
Please invite colleagues to subscribe to our listserv and to stay up to date on resources, information, opportunities, events, and programs:
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Main BFSA communication listserv: [email protected] if you have trouble being added please email [email protected]
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Johns Hopkins Homewood Caucus (includes Eastern campus, DAR, Keswick, Mt. Washington, CTY, SOE, and Peabody)
Homewood Caucus Members listserv: [email protected]
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Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Caucus (includes JHMI, SOM, SON, BSPH, CCP, JHPIEGO, JH Bayview, Sibley, Suburban)
East Baltimore Caucus Members listserv: [email protected]
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Join BFSA campus groups page: https://jhu.campusgroups.com/BFSA/club_signup
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Request to join BFSA Mailing list: [email protected]
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Consider joining one of the BFSA’s committees please email [email protected] and cc [email protected]
Jerrell Bratcher
President | Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
February 21, 2025 "Standing Together in this Moment"
Dear Johns Hopkins Faculty and Staff,
I write to you today in a moment that demands both our attention and our action. Across this country, we are witnessing policies and decisions from the highest levels of government that threaten the dignity, rights, and stability of communities—our communities. The consequences of these actions are not abstract; they are deeply personal. They touch our families, our students, our colleagues, and the very principles upon which this institution was built. And yet, in times of uncertainty, history has shown us that solidarity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice have always been our greatest strengths.
At Johns Hopkins, we are more than an institution of learning and research—we are a community bound by the pursuit of truth, equity, and the power of knowledge to uplift and transform. This moment requires us to reaffirm those values, not just in words but in action. We must continue to support one another, to advocate for policies that protect and empower, and to ensure that every member of our Hopkins family feels seen, valued, and safe.
The Black Faculty and Staff Association stands resolute in its mission to uplift, advocate, and foster belonging in the face of adversity. We will not be deterred. We will continue to push forward, ensuring that no decision, no policy, no force will silence our voices or diminish our purpose. We remain committed to meeting, challenging, and advocating for tangible and intangible investments in the people who labor across this institution.
We welcome everyone to join, participate in, and to become part of the BFSA. Membership is open to everyone (lottie, dottie, and everybody). Why? – Hopkins ain’t broke, it is not broke on our people, research, intellect, excellence, influence, life-saving approaches, investments, federal notes, advancements & technologies, accomplished staff, distinguished faculty, brilliant students, trailblazing & pioneering alums, and a community and city from which those roots break through its ground. We will weather this storm together, but we must be committed to doing it together.
The BFSA is the longest standing employee-led volunteer organization across the Hopkins enterprise that serves black and BIPOC faculty, staff, and students and includes and is not limited to all faculty & staff as well. The BFSA is also one of the longest standing and operating Employee Resource Groups among institutions of higher learning across this country, which dates way back to the civil right movements. ALL members, all faculty, all staff, all students, all leaders, and all affiliates of Johns Hopkins (was, is, and forever will be) both a voluntary and involuntary beneficiaries & benefactors of the BFSA's will, work, history, legacy, initiatives, and mission to this very day!
Let us reflect on the power and purpose of our unity and our diversity. We stand on the shoulders of those who fought for our place, and it is our duty to continue that legacy of progress and inclusion. Our work as the Black Faculty and Staff Association is not just about representation—it’s about ensuring that equity, diversity, justice, inclusion, belonging, and opportunity are woven into the fabric of Johns Hopkins.
We must also lift up those people, places, things, and organizations that are striving to make this nation more just. Everyone, everyone should be a member of the BFSA, not just in this moment, or for a year, but for a Lifetime! We are everyone’s voice, lifeline, bridge, partner, pillar, and pipeline. We are the systolic and diastolic heartbeat of the culture we embrace and seek, and we are the moral defibrillator to resuscitate it.
The BFSA stands in solidarity with and as a resource and ally with all of our JH affinity groups, ERGs, staff & faculty councils, association, assemblies, and groups. We encourage everyone to do and continue to do the same with the BFSA. We must continue to collaborate, meet, align, and partner not just in this moment but in perpetuity.
To my colleagues across this institution: You are not alone. We will walk this path together. We will use our collective power to defend what is right, to support one another, and to move forward—not just for ourselves, but for the generations that follow. Please join the BFSA, please reach out and email the BFSA at [email protected], and feel free to cc: [email protected].
Please use this survey form: https://forms.office.com/r/CPBgsfpAWJ
To submit questions, comments, asks/recommendations anonymously, in the coming days and weeks. We will compile all of these and share with Johns Hopkins leadership and with the faculty and staff body as well. We will update and share out to faculty and staff any answers we receive when we receive them. https://forms.office.com/r/CPBgsfpAWJ In short, we will continue to share updates and keep you informed, have more meetings pertaining to the 'state of affairs here at Hopkins. And we will let you know of any action that is required and/or needed.
The BFSA ain’t going anywhere, we will continue to:
- sustain our vision and mission
- ensure stability and continuity
- strengthen our operations, resources, experiences, workshops, and programs
- preserve our history, growth, and legacy
- celebrate the strongest asset of/at/within this institution – the people, the contributions, and the labor
We plan to still have and host:
- the Annual Spring meeting with JH leadership and the President’s cabinet members (forthcoming).
- 2025 Juneteenth on Friday, June 20th which will include a brunch panel (about 10am), the Indispensable Roles of Black Induction ceremony (around 2pm), and the Juneteenth Celebration dinner (around 5pm). More details will be forthcoming. If you would like to join the Juneteenth planning committee, please let us know by emailing [email protected] and cc my email [email protected] as well.
- The 30th Year Anniversary of the BFSA (Fall 2025) If you would like to join the Juneteenth planning committee, please let us know by emailing [email protected] and cc my email [email protected] as well.
To subscribe to our listserv and to stay up to date on resources, information, opportunities, events, and programs, please email [email protected]
Membership of the BFSA is open to ALL! The BFSA has 19 foundational priorities, and you are part of everyone one of them.
Let this be our charge: To remain steadfast. To build community. To lead with purpose. And above all, to stand together.
In humble & resolute solidarity,
The Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Jerrell Bratcher
President, Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Member & Committee Chair, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board; Executive Member, Johns Hopkins Center for Staff Life Design; 2020 JHU Roadmap Task Force Working Group; 2023, 2019 Recipient, Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council (DLC) Diversity Leadership Award; 2019 Recipient, Johns Hopkins MLK Jr. Award for Community Service; Founder & Inaugural Committee Member, DRIVE Diversity Advisory Council in Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
https://jhu.campusgroups.com/BFSA/
February 17, 2025 "A Medley in the Melee"
I am Jerrell Bratcher, the President of the Black Faculty Staff Association at Johns Hopkins. The BFSA was founded in 1995 by seven pioneers who worked, led, toiled, tarried, and labored within the Johns Hopkins enterprise.
Our website is bfsa.jhu.edu, and Hopkins folks can also find us on Hopkins CampusGroups by typing or querying “hopkins groups bfsa”.
The mission of the Black Faculty and Staff Association is to help foster a culture of oneness for all by serving as an advocate 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.
We remain committed to meeting, challenging, and advocating for tangible and intangible investments in the people who labor across this institution.
We welcome everyone to join, participate in, and to become part of the BFSA. Membership is open to everyone (lottie, dottie, and everybody). Why? – Hopkins ain’t broke, it is not broke on our people, research, intellect, excellence, influence, life-saving approaches, investments, federal notes, advancements & technologies, accomplished staff, distinguished faculty, brilliant students, trailblazing & pioneering alums, and a community and city from which those roots break through its ground.
The Black Faculty and Staff Association’s 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. We serve as a trusted resource for JHU faculty and staff by providing a forum for meaningful exchanges that identify and address issues of value to us and our community, in and around Johns Hopkins. We also partner with the community to conduct outreach activities and cultural events. We are dedicated to serving you and the community.
The BFSA is the longest standing employee-led volunteer organization across the Hopkins enterprise that serves black and BIPOC faculty, staff, and students and includes and is not limited to all faculty & staff as well. The BFSA is also one of the longest standing and operating Employee Resource Groups among institutions of higher learning across this country, which dates way back to the civil right movements. ALL members, all faculty, all staff, all students, all leaders, and all affiliates of Johns Hopkins (was, is, and forever will be) both a voluntary and involuntary beneficiaries & benefactors of the BFSA's will, work, history, legacy, initiatives, and mission to this very day!
Let us reflect on the power and purpose of our unity and our diversity. We stand on the shoulders of those who fought for our place, and it is our duty to continue that legacy of progress and inclusion. Our work as the Black Faculty and Staff Association is not just about representation—it’s about ensuring that equity, diversity, justice, inclusion, belonging, and opportunity are woven into the fabric of Johns Hopkins.
We must also lift up those people, places, things, and organizations that are striving to make this nation more just. Everyone, everyone should be a member of the BFSA, not just in this moment, or for a year, but for a Lifetime! We are everyone’s voice, lifeline, bridge, partner, pillar, and pipeline. We are the systolic and diastolic heartbeat of the culture we embrace and seek, and we are the moral defibrillator to resuscitate it.
The commitment to justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging reflects the ongoing struggle for equality but let us not place the burden of change on any one individual. This struggle, this fight, this pursuit belongs to all of us - together.
As we look to the future, let us all lead with conviction, grounded in unity, solidarity, advocacy, and service. Together, we have the power to shape policies, create spaces of belonging, and inspire the next generations. There are times when we must stand firmly on our principles, morals, and values, even when the winds of opposition blow against us. Now is such a time.
Let us go forward with purpose, together, united in our vision, unwavering in our pursuit of justice, grounded in the eternal truths of love, justice, and equality. For in the end, it is not the power of the sword, but the power of the spirit and people united and coming together for a good cause that will prevail.
So, if you are counting the BFSA turns 30 this year in 2025. We will plan and prepare for a tremendous and triumphant week-long celebration later this Fall 2025, and we expect each and every one of you to be there. But for now, we face the tasks at hand!
Thank you.
Jerrell
Jerrell Bratcher
President | Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
https://jhu.campusgroups.com/BFSA/
[email protected]
In case you missed it #ICYMI, attached is the recording from the 2024 BFSA Fall Leadership Welcome Reception.
Passcode: He4N++2y
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Contact list owner: mailto:[email protected]
October 18, 2024 "BFSA Update and Information"
Dear BFSA Members,
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) in 2025, we are reminded of the rich legacy, history, and impact our organization has had on advancing the professional welfare, sense of community, and advocacy for Black faculty, staff, and students at Johns Hopkins University. To ensure that our work continues to thrive for the next 30 years and beyond, the Executive Board has identified the need to amend our Bylaws to strengthen the order, operation, and continuity of the BFSA.
Very soon we plan to share proposed amendments to the BFSA Constitution & Bylaws for ALL BFSA members to review, consider, and ultimately vote on prior to the next election. Since stepping up into this role of President from being elected as President-Elect, following the previous president’s departure, I’ve since maintained and held based on my assessment of our profound association that these amendments when put forth and introduced are vital, critical, and paramount for several reasons (including but not limited to):
- Sustaining Our Legacy and Vision: The proposed changes will help safeguard the mission and vision of the BFSA, ensuring that our core values of inclusion, professional growth, and advocacy remain central as the organization grows and adapts.
- Continuity and Stability: Leadership transitions are an inevitable part of any organization, and by amending the Bylaws, we aim to establish processes that maintain the BFSA's momentum and ensure uninterrupted progress—even during times of vacancy or transition on the Executive Board.
- Strengthening Operations: These updates will allow us to formalize important structures, like the creation of a Presidents’ Advisory Board, composed of past Presidents, to provide strategic advice and help steer the BFSA in times of need.
- Preserving Our History and Growth: As we look ahead to our 30th anniversary, these amendments will help us not only honor our past but also create a clear path for future generations to build upon the work we have started, ensuring that the BFSA remains a vital resource for Black faculty and staff at Johns Hopkins.
Your support is essential as we move forward with these necessary updates. We have taken great time and care with drafting the proposed amendments which will be shared very soon, and we will hold a vote in accordance with our current Bylaws. Together, we can ensure that the BFSA continues to be a beacon of support, advocacy, and empowerment for our community.
Thank you for your commitment and partnership in strengthening our collective future.
In solidarity,
Jerrell Bratcher
President | Black Faculty and Staff Association at Johns Hopkins
https://jhu.campusgroups.com/BFSA/
January 17, 2024 "Alarm at the Gate: Upholding the Values”
Dear members, allies, and friends of the BFSA,
There is an alarm at the gate and given recent events and the current climate both internally at Hopkins and throughout society, it is imperative that we continue to understand and challenge our institution in its mission to uphold its stated values. We invite you to join us for a “Upholding the Values” All Caucuses & General Meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at noon to 1:00pm.
What we are seeing happening at institutions across the country could and may be a signal that the heart of DEI may need some resuscitation – and collectively we have the moral defibrillator!
Join the BFSA “Upholding the Values” All Caucus & General Meeting
The mission of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) 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.
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.
We invite you to join and become a member of the BFSA, membership is open to everyone.
The BFSA is dedicated to serving members, faculty, staff, and the Johns Hopkins community. It is in this spirit and vein that we design but are not limited to the following priorities:
- Increasing BFSA membership.
- Offering membership support/services, opportunities, programs, participation, and engagement
- 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.
- Advocating for increased HR benefits and resources including but not limited to housing, tuition, incentives, childcare, and retirement.
- Offering programs and forums that supplement and support mentorship, recruiting, recognition, training, and retention.
- Offering leadership training and mentorship for members who are interested in serving on ERG’s, committees, and councils.
- Supporting members with complaint resolution (guiding to appropriate office).
- 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.
- Celebrating heritage, diversity, and cultural events.
- Recognizing faculty, staff, students, and members for their contributions to the Johns Hopkins community.
- 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.
- Cultivating a strong sense of community and shared values
- Building community and fostering within the BFSA a brave space for listening, sharing, resources, support, and understanding of working and learning experiences
- Building a community within the BFSA a network to offer support related to experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
- Holding Johns Hopkins leadership accountable.
- Providing a community within the BFSA that offers information, knowledge and opportunities related to:
o personal growth, professional development
o career advancement, professional fulfillment
o retaining the excellence of BIPOC members, faculty, and staff
o identifying leaders internally
o supporting engagement and networking opportunities
o ensuring that our efforts help to shape a more inclusive culture that supports, celebrates, and values diversity and belonging.
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).
- Increased 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.
Sincerely,
The Executive Board of the Black Faculty & Staff Association of Johns Hopkins
Jerrell Bratcher, BFSA President
November 22, 2023 "Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Thankful Thanksgiving Celebration Together 🌍🦃"
Dear members and friends of the BFSA,
On behalf of the Black Faculty and Staff Association of Johns Hopkins I and we are wishing you, your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, card game partners, and loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, joy, courageous conversations, cooperation, curiosity, inquiry, fond & fun banter, and unity. May diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging be at the heart of your celebrations and blessings, fostering a spirit of togetherness and understanding.
Here are some additional thoughts for dinner table conversations, as your feedback would be greatly appreciated:
- A physical office space for the Black Faculty and Staff Association.
- A Staff Professional Development, Growth, Wellness, and Lifelong Learning Center. Aside from BFSA office space this same building could house the ‘first-in-kind” among higher education institutions, a Staff Professional Development, Growth, Wellness, and Lifelong Learning Center. I’ve been researching on my own to inquire if there are universities (peer and non-peer) that have an actual Staff Career Center, strong emphasis on center. I could not find one. This would be monumental for Johns Hopkins and one of the steps forward in the right direction for JHU in becoming a national employer of choice. The launching of a professional life design lab for staff (as part of the career architecture plan) would be the epicenter of professional learning, training, development, and provide integrative and lifelong learning for staff across the Johns Hopkins enterprise.
- A Museum/Exhibit-like space for archiving and memorializing the BFSA's history and the Indispensable Roles of Blacks (IRB) exhibit.
This same site and could house the history and legacy of the BFSA and its prolific founders, be the main home for monumental Indispensable Roles of Blacks exhibit, in addition to the space on the East Baltimore campus where exhibition panels are currently featured.
o Special note: The IRB grew from a conversation back in 2012 between President Daniels and the BFSA, during which members of the BFSA expressed a desire to raise the visibility of blacks and point to the many contributions the group has made to Johns Hopkins and our community.
- Endowing scholarships under the BFSA in recognition of its founding members.
In 2025, the BFSA will celebrate 30 years and we need an investment to celebrate, honor, and mark this milestone achievement.
- Collaborating with all ERG, associations, councils, affinity groups across for Black History Month event and experience.
More to come on these details. Would include a trip to Harriet Tubman Museum, and/or the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Also, an oratorical competition for elementary, middle, high school, and college students. A group of colleagues are planning to meet to discuss ideas.
- Collaborating with all ERG, associations, councils, affinity groups across for a Juneteenth Celebration and Event.
Please share your ideas doesn’t matter how big or small, on ways to expand and improve upon celebrations in previous years.
o Aspirational: Share your thoughts about - a celebration that starts with a parade, includes a day-of-service project (one in February or March and then another in June or October), and then concludes with the IRB induction and then the Juneteenth Celebration dinner.
Note: Johns Hopkins Takes Time for Baltimore is one of several initiatives dedicated to supporting our neighboring communities in Baltimore City. University departments are encouraged to take time to pitch in. Hopkins employees who volunteer can use up to two days of paid time off through our Johns Hopkins Takes Time for Baltimore service leave policy.
Sincerely,
The Black Faculty & Staff Association of Johns Hopkins University
October 17, 2023 "Indigenous Peoples Day vs. Columbus Day and other events"
Dear members and friends of the BFSA,
Last week we celebrated and recognized Oct. 10, in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day to acknowledge the pain and celebrate the rich culture of Indigenous people in North America. We also recognize the importance of Columbus Day to the Italian American and Catholic communities. I know that there are talks and debate on Capitol Hill about Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day. But as we learn more about the hard histories and truths from our past, we must understand that it’s important to always honor those who first settled on this land and the very ground that we tread upon. Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a holiday, pays rightful tribute to the contributions of Indigenous people.
Indigenous Peoples Day arose as an alternative to Columbus Day, which Native Americans protested for honoring a man who enabled their colonization and forced assimilation. Columbus Day began as a celebration of Italian immigrants who faced persecution in the U.S. But for many it’s now a symbol of the colonization and oppression of Indigenous people. Across the continent, North America’s Native nations reassert their sovereignty. Acknowledging the contributions of a person cannot overshadow the painful history of wrongs and atrocities that resulted from European exploration.
I believe that all of us have a duty, responsibility, and obligation to deal with what’s in front us, and to speak honestly about the challenges we face, those that shape our history and, more importantly, our future.
Last year, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Dr. Donald Warne, the new co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, talked with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the challenges and opportunities for the health of the world’s indigenous populations. They also discussed the expansive work of the Center, and the hope that greater understanding of indigenous health would bring a broad range of benefits to the world.
On, Oct. 11, we recognized National Coming Out Day in support of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community for their bravery and fight for equality. We celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ community who challenged all forms of homophobia and discrimination and displayed courage to be out to their families, friends and the world. Download a virtual background to show your support.
Safe Zone trainings for the Johns Hopkins community
The Safe Zone mission is to promote an environment where the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and their allies flourish intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Towards this end, we envision the program as a visible network of allies who support each other and support individual LGBTQ people. We hope to build a climate where everyone feels safe and accepted.
Johns Hopkins affirms our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community in many ways, including having sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in our non-discrimination policy.
The Safe Zone program invites everyone to create a safer and more supportive campus climate for sexual and gender minorities and their allies. The Safe Zone program is housed within Gender & Sexuality Resources (formerly housed within LGBTQ Life). It was established in 2012 as a collaborative training effort engaging students, staff, and faculty across all departments and offices at Hopkins. Click here to sign up for upcoming Safe Zone workshops!
Sincerely,
The Black Faculty & Staff Association of Johns Hopkins University
Jerrell Bratcher, BFSA President