The past two years have shown us how important it is to connect to others, individually and as a community. To help strengthen our community and further the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Emory is piloting two campus-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): the Emory Black Employee Network (EBEN) and the Emory Pride Employee Network (EPEN).
ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups established around common interests, purpose and/or characteristics.
“We are very excited to pilot these two ERGS to help foster a greater sense of belonging here at the university,” says Theresa Milazzo, vice president of human resources. “HR worked with community members to identify executive sponsors and co-chairs for each ERG, and they have been working over the past several months on plans to launch their groups with support from the HR recognition-and-engagement team. If these two ERGs prove to be successful, we plan to create additional ones in the future.”
The two groups were selected for the pilot based on survey results from last summer. Employees shared that they wanted opportunities where they can network, engage with mentors, make friends and help raise awareness of the value of diversity and inclusion at the university.
Both ERGs will soon begin to introduce events and activities that will meet a wide variety of LGBTQ+ and Black employee needs and interests.
Faculty and staff are invited to meet the ERG co-chairs and executive sponsors during a webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 12 p.m. “ERGs at Emory: Meet Your Chairs, Share Your Voice!” will provide a brief introduction and overview of the ERGs, followed by the opportunity to join a breakout room for the group of your choice and share input as a potential member.
Lynell Cadray, university ombuds and executive sponsor of the Emory Pride Employee Network, has worked closely with co-chairs Adam Malm (School of Nursing) and Chloe Corcoran (Advancement and Alumni Engagement) to prepare for the launch of their group.
“I am thrilled to serve in this capacity to help launch this new group at Emory,” Cadray says. “Emory is such a diverse and vibrant community and the establishment of these ERGs will help our employees feel valued and supported.”
Co-chairs of the Emory Black Employee Network Brandon Gardner (Office of Government and Community Affairs) and Amanda Johnson-Scott (School of Medicine) also have been busy planning for the launch of their group, actively collaborating with their executive sponsor, Maurice Middleton, from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
After previously leading an ERG for the Advancement and Alumni Engagement division, Gardner looks forward to this expanded effort that will be open to all Emory employees. “I’m excited about this opportunity to empower, motivate, inspire and maximize the potential of Emory 's Black/African American employees and allies,” he says.
Emory’s Black Employee Network and Pride Employee Network are open to all faculty and staff at the university: those who identify with the ERG as well as those who wish to participate as allies (those who do not identify but who wish to support the ERG members in creating a more inclusive culture at Emory). Both groups are encouraging broad participation as Emory employees look for opportunities to connect with each other and continue to build our community.
To learn more about ERGs, visit online.
“ERGs at Emory: Meet Your Chairs, Share Your Voice!”
Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 12 p.m.
Online
Learn more about the new Employee Resource Groups at Emory and share your input. The Emory Black Employee Network and the Emory Pride Employee Network will launch in the coming months.