FAI 2027: Chicago, Illinois, United States
January 27-31, 2026
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are community-oriented sessions designed to encourage and foster connections between folks within the FAI community who share a common identity or experience.
Upcoming Sessions
Women (Evening)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Moderated by Katherine Paterson and Clau Balladelli
7 PM CDT
Folks from the African Diaspora
Monday, April 13, 2026
Moderated by Bertrand Evans-Taylor
6 PM CDT
Pan-Asian Pacific Islander Folks
Monday, April 13, 2026
Moderated by Amrita Soon
9 PM CDT / 10 AM MYT
Folks Coping with Grief and Loss
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Moderated by Stephen Bond Garvan
6 PM CDT
Latiné Folks
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Moderated by Jorge Requena Ramos and Jackie Marushka
8:30 PM CDT
Folks with Disabilities or Chronic Illness
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Moderated by Charlie Mosbrook
7 PM CDT
SWANA (S.W. Asia and North Africa)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Moderated by Tenise Marie and Naghmeh
7 PM CDT
Contact Janice Jo Lee, Affinity Group Coordinator
if you have any questions at janice@folk.org
All Affinity Groups
Activists and Changemakers
This session is intended for people who identify as activists and changemakers.
Folkies 55+
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who 55-years-old or older.
Folks Coping with Loss
This session is intended for people who are dealing with grieving and loss.
Folks from the African Diaspora
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as Black or as a member of the African Diaspora.
Folks with Disability or Chronic Illness
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as living with a disability or chronic illness.
Indigenous Folks
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as Indigenous.
International Folks
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for people who live, work, or identify as being from outside of North America/Turtle Island.
Jewish Folks
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as Jewish (ethnically, culturally, and/or spiritually).
Latiné and Hispanic Folks
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as Latiné or Hispanic.
LGBTQ2IA+
This session is intended for people who identify as LGBTQ2IA+.
Pan-Asian Folks
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as Asian or Pan-Asian.
Parents and Caregivers
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who are parents or caregivers.
SWANA
For folks from Southwest Asia and North Africa, this affinity group is a gathering place for the diverse and rich cultures within the SWANA region. SWANA is an inclusive term we use to move away from the colonial label "Middle East."
Women
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who identify as women, including transgender women, genderfluid people, genderqueer people, and nonbinary people. (Note: there is also a separate LGBTQ2IA+ Affinity Group).
Next Generation (35 and under)
This group is intended specifically and exclusively for folks who are 18 to 35 working in the field (industry, artist, presenter, etc.).
