Established CalEPA Affinity Groups

Council of Black Empowerment (CBE) Affinity Group
The mission of the Council of Black Empowerment Affinity Group is to actively create and sustain a trusted, empowering space for employees to build community and positively impact the well-being and professional experiences of Black employees within CalEPA. We provide a platform for open dialogue, support, and collective action. We honor the legacy of those who have paved the way, support those doing the work today, and build a foundation for those who will carry the work forward in the future. We are committed to continuing to foster a vibrant, inclusive community that addresses challenges, celebrates achievements, and empowers Black professionals to thrive and excel in their careers.

Hispanic and Latinx Unidos Affinity Group
The CalEPA Hispanic and Latinx Unidos Affinity Group is dedicated to fostering connections among Hispanic and Latinx CalEPA employees, aiming to create an inclusive work environment across CalEPA BDOs. In this environment, Hispanic and Latinx employees feel heard, valued, supported, represented, and empowered through dialogue, training, advocacy, and mentoring. Additionally, our goal is to provide a space to celebrate Hispanic and Latinx culture, as well as our members’ talents, achievements, and contributions. Members, regardless of their background, collaborate to identify workplace topics of interest, opportunities for growth, and concerns of Hispanic and Latinx CalEPA employees, working collectively to address them through resolution and action. Furthermore, members strive to create opportunities for Hispanic and Latinx employees to showcase their cultural strengths, skills, and lived experiences.

LGBTQIA2S+ Affinity Group
The CalEPA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) Affinity Group works to create a CalEPA where LGBTQIA2S+ people thrive. We support the health and wellness of the CalEPA LGBTQIA2S+ community, advocate for equity and justice through an intersectional lens, and work to build a culturally rich LGBTQIA2S+ community with allies in our workspace. We aim to improve the recruitment and retention of LGBTQIA2S+ identifying employees at CalEPA by identifying opportunities to recruit LGBTQIA2S+ employees (e.g., LGBTQIA2S+ recruiting fairs, working with LGBTQIA2S+ groups at local universities and strategic philanthropy to LGBTQIA2S+ organizations) and supporting professional development for current LGBTQIA2S+ employees.

Multicultural Affinity Group
The CalEPA Multicultural Affinity Group is dedicated to discussing issues and challenges affecting multicultural employees, including those who were born and raised outside of the U.S. or persons born in the U.S. to immigrant parents or naturalized American citizens. We aim to foster connections between multicultural employees and allies and to promote an inclusive and supportive work environment for multicultural employees across CalEPA BDOs.

Women in the Workplace Affinity Group
The CalEPA Women in the Workplace Affinity Group is dedicated to support and advocate for women, at all levels and backgrounds, in the workplace. We encourage and support one another to fulfill our goals in leadership potential, career and personal development through dialogue, training, and mentoring.