African American, African and Native American Affinity Group

Mission

The mission of the African American, Black and African Diaspora (ABA) Employee Affinity Group is to provide a community of belonging amongst faculty and staff who identify as African American, Black or with the African diaspora. The ABA Employee Affinity group will leverage its collective expertise to strategically develop the capacity of people of African ancestry and highlight the presence of and advocate for UK Black employees (faculty and staff) through institutionally supported professional development and culturally informed programs and activities.  

Vision

The ABA shares the goal of the Black Faculty and Staff Association Higher Education Consortium, which is to advance the professional development of Black faculty and staff in higher education while advocating for enhanced visibility, cultural inclusivity and community engagement of Black faculty and staff both within the University of Kentucky and the Commonwealth.  

Dr. Laneshia Conner (laneshia.conner@uky.edu) and Dr. Kendriana Price (kendriana.price@uky.edu) serve as the co-leads for ABA. 

Past Events

Our inaugural social mixer was held on November 30, 2018 at Hillary J. Boone Center. There were 65 administrators, faculty, and staff from across the University campus who were in attendance.

UK March Madness Game Watch on March 21. 25 faculty, staff and their families attended. 

Affinity Group (African, African American and Native American) Networking Mix & Mingle Lunch was held on November 13, 2019 with more than 100 faculty and staff in attendance.