SIG Focus: Black and African Diaspora

From the April 19, 2017 NACAC Bulletin:

Co-Leaders of the Black and African Diaspora Special Interest Group:

Eric Stokes, The University of Tennessee
Derek DuBose, The Ohio State University

NACAC Special Interest Groups (SIGs) nurture the growing diversity in our association by providing “micro” communities where members can network and add value to their membership experience. These smaller subsets of members are formed for the purpose of knowledge sharing and discussion among members with similar interests whether they are specific subjects, issues or type of institution, or students they serve. 

The mission of the Black and African Diaspora Special Interest Group is to support and advance the work of counseling and enrollment professionals as we help our students and communities realize their full potential, with particular emphasis on African American’s transition to postsecondary education. The Black and African Diaspora SIG is committed to promoting highly professional, hands-on community work that fosters ethical and social responsibility.

We meet annually during the NACAC Annual Conference, in addition to some state and regional affiliate conferences to discuss current issues and trends impacting our work.  In an effort to bring those topics to a broader audience, we encourage members to develop and submit session proposals for upcoming national conferences and to further engage in opportunities for fellowship and advocacy at our state and regional affiliate meetings. Outside of our annual meetings at conferences, we share information and network via our BA SIG Exchange Group, where interested professionals can join.

Initiatives that our SIG looks to foster for the upcoming year:

• Engage college counseling and admissions professionals who identify as Black or African American, including multiracial, through various forms of communication and networking. Support and promote their advancement within the profession, with NACAC, and within their respective NACAC affiliates.
• Advocate on behalf of Black/African American and other multiracial students as they transition to post-secondary education. This includes encouragement and advancement of initiatives, programs, and practices that help students realize their full potential.
• Promote policies and initiatives that enhance diversity/inclusion as well as foster ethical practices and social responsibility, as it relates to Black/African American and multiracial professionals and students. This includes advocacy efforts against policies and legislation that are regressive, harmful, and degenerative to those in our community.