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Equity and Inclusion Office

2024/2025 Employee Resource Group (ERG) for Black, Indigenous, Racialized Staff (BIRS)

The Equity and Inclusion Office and Human Resources Services sponsors the initiative inspired by the ongoing efforts of the Race, Racism and Racialization (R3) Working Group of the President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC).

For information about the ERG check out the 2021-2022 Employee Resource Group (ERG) Annual Report

The initiative is an institutionally supported Employee Resource Group (ERG) for Black, Indigenous and Racialized staff, which aims to “enhance opportunities for meaningful consultation with, engagement of, and provision of support” to groups historically under-represented and under-served in higher education – a key objectives in McMaster’s EDI Strategy and Action Plan (the 2019-2022 plan has expired and a new plan will be actualized building from the original).

This ERG will focus on facilitating:

  • Social health and well-being through community and coalition building
  • Career growth and leadership development through networking and skill-building

We welcome Paul Ogunkoya, Chair and Ashsa McClean, Vice-Chair in 2024/2025.

This team will be joined by liaisons from various partners to the ERG and supported by the Manager of Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EIO) and the Program Manager, Employment Equity and Workplace Experience (HRS). The terms are 2 years for chairs and 1 to 2 years for the vice-chairs.

ERG Terms of Reference or contact the Equity and Inclusion Office (equity@mcmaster.ca) for more information or questions.

Together, this team group will be responsible to:

  • Determine the schedule of group meetings and set the agenda
  • Plan and organize social activities and professional development events
  • Allocate and manage budget for activities and events

If you are interested in BIRS please email equity@mcmaster.ca
Please include your full name, Mcmaster email, title and department/unit. Feel free to to encourage Black, Indigenous and Racialized staff to consider joining the ERG. Managers and Supervisors are expected to accommodate staff, where reasonably possible, should they wish to participate in the meetings and activities of the ERG.