About Us
OUR BEGINNINGS
On September 3, 2013 seventeen African-American Administrators and Faculty (AAAF) employed by the University of Virginia held an inaugural dinner meeting at the Colonnade Club (Pavilion VII) with the intent to establish an employee resource group (ERG).
MISSION STATEMENT
The Black Faculty and Staff-Employee Resource Group (BFSERG) will actively engage in the recruitment, mentorship, collegiality, professional development, and retention of its members as well as promotion of an inclusive environment that will benefit all UVA faculty, administrators, staff and the Charlottesville community.
PURPOSE
To serve as a representative voice for black faculty and staff in matters relative to the intellectual, professional, and emotional betterment within the UVA community and beyond
BYLAWS
Participation and membership is voluntary and open to all employees.
Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
Meet the Team
Officers
Blake Jimenéz-Calhoun
President
Presides over the meetings of the Employee Resource Group, appoints special committees to ensure the functions and duties of the BFS-ERG are completed as mandated, and mentors and develops new members.
Halima Walker
Vice President
Coordinates programs with the Executive Committee; serve as an ex‐officio member of all standing committees; chairs the Governance Committee; provides leadership & support for special projects and ongoing initiatives; and, assumes the duties of the Chair in their absence.
Gail Prince-Davis
Treasurer
Provides general financial oversight to the Employee Resource Group; facilitates the preparation of annual budgets; collaborates with other officers to solicit funds; regularly monitors expenditures and budget balance; reports on the financial standing; and serve as the primary financial liaison to stakeholders.
Sherica Jones-Lewis
Secretary
Generates the minutes of each BFS-ERG meeting, informs the members of the BFS-ERG regarding all planned activities, and sends notices and maintenance of membership records.
Cortney Hawkins
Communications Officer
Leads communications for BFS-ERG by distributing the newsletter, maintaining the BFSERG web site and social media pages, and chairing the Communications Committee.
Executive Committees
Onboarding & Welcoming
Michelle Busby, Chair
Develop methods to identify and provide a personalized welcome to new BFS-ERG employees, and assist newcomers in their orientation to The University and greater local community.
Mentoring & Professional Development
Lisa Harris, Chair
Coordinate a pilot mentoring program to match new employees with seasoned employees, and identify/develop methods to address the professional and personal development needs of membership.
Community Building & Networking
Ashley Woodard, Chair
Helps build the BFS-ERG community by coordinating social interactions that foster connections and support among members and will also coordinate all BFS-ERG awards and recognition events.
Communications
Cortney Hawkins, Chair
Implement and monitor an overall marketing and communications strategy, advertise activities, manage website and social networking sites, and develop publications.