To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Jackson, MSW
2011 National Association of Social Workers
Social Worker of the Year

Masters of Divinity Candidate
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
New Brunswick, New Jersey 

Ms. Jackson

Q.  Ms. Jackson, please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am the NASW “National Social Work of the Year“ (2011) and the “New Jersey Social Worker of the Year” (2010).  I am a strong well-known advocate in New Jersey and I am passionate about restoring the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).   I have received many awards for making communities accessible and have been instrumental with my advocacy efforts lobbying in Trenton, New Jersey and Washington DC.

Q:  Where do you work?

I have been retired for the past 16 years and I am a forever non-traditional student.   I am a volunteer and a Board member with NASW-NJ, the National Multiple Sclerosis Metro-NJ Chapter, National Sarcoidois Resource Center, the Alliance Center for Independence and actively involved with other disabilities organizations.

Q:  What is your area of expertise?

Advocacy is my passion and I have personally committed and dedicated my career as a social worker and disability advocate striving to make communities more accessible for people with all disabilities, the elderly and anyone who is challenged in any way gain access into public and private places.

My advocacy work is centered on “Accessibility” because Accessibility plays an important role in the lives of all people with disabilities in all aspects of their lives.   It affords people with disabilities the opportunity to gain access into society, utilize facilities and services, foster independence and inclusion.

Q:  Where did I earn my MSW?

I received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree from Rutgers University Graduate School of Social Work in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Currently I am attending the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree (MDIV) that will prepare for a doctoral degree in ministry in the near future. 

Q:  Why did you choose social work profession?

From as far as I can remember I have always been passionate about helping others, I have always had a listening ear and showed great empathy toward people and I have always been resourceful.  Because I grew up with nine other siblings, I am confident that I was a social worker in my family long before I thought about it as a professional career.   

Now that I am a social worker, I am honored and privileged to represent the social work profession.  I am truly passionate, committed and dedicated to the field and being the “voice for the voiceless” by promoting social change through awareness and education. 

Ms. Jackson meets President Obama

Q:   What is your proudest professional achievement? 

My proudest professional achievement is being named as both the “National Social Worker of the Year” and the “New Jersey Social Worker of the Year.”   These awards mean the world to me and I am truly honored to receive recognition for doing what I do best in my professional career and that is advocacy, being an advocate and  “being the voice for the voiceless” by utilizing my Triple “A” approach which has become my platform and that is “Advocacy, Awareness and Action.

It gives me great joy as a social worker to know that I have made a difference in the lives of others and the community.  One of my proudest moments in my career was meeting President Obama not once but twice.  Meeting the President felt as if I shook the hand of Martin Luther King and this was indeed a proud moment for me.   I look forward to meeting the President and Michelle Obama in the near future.

Honors and Awards

Ms. Jackson’s honors include:

• National Social Worker of the Year  – 2011
• New Jersey Social Worker of the Year – 2010
• NASW-NJ – Board of Trustees
• NASW- NJ  Middlesex/Union Chair, Unit Chair
• Disability Special Interest Group (SIG), Chair

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

To  celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers  to  talk to  us about their career

Tawanda L. Hubbard, MSW, LCSW
Intensive In Community Therapist
Total Family Solutions
New Jersey

Q.  Ms. Hubbard, where did you receive your social work education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you currently employed?

My name is Tawanda Hubbard and I am a Black Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New Jersey.  I work as a Intensive In Community (IIC) Therapist providing therapy to children and families who struggle with parent-child conflict, behavioral challenges, trauma and abuse, mood disorders, ADHD, parenting, etc. in the community.

In addition, I teach as a Part-time Lecturer at Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work.

Q.  Why did you choose social work as your profession?

I chose social work because of my natural ability to talk and work with others, social work’s rich history and contributions to the well being of people, environments, and systems.

Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement? This is a hard one to answer; I have a few achievements I would say I am proud of in my career to date. The one achievement that always touches my heart is when I see a family utilize the information, techniques, and skills I have taught them and they feel the relief and see improvements in their family’s ability to relate and function in healthier ways. 

Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley is the Professor of Social Work and Chair of the Community, Administration and Policy Practice Sequence at Howard University School of Social Work.  Dr. Goodley’s research has focused on violence against women and girls, HIV prevention, and healthy relationship education.  She has developed community and faith-based interventions in domestic violence and relationship education with a focus on strengthening the Black family.  Dr. Bent-Goodley’s most recent book is The Ultimate Betryal: A Renewed Look at Intimate Partner Violence published in 2011.

Q.  Dr. Bent-Goodley, you have written about the role of sexism as one of the causes of domestic violence in the African American.  Would you say that sexism is a problem across the economic spectrum for African Americans?   Do we see the same level of domestic violence in recently arrived African immigrant families?

Q.  What particular barriers do African American women face when they seek help?  For example, are there stereotypes about African American women that may make staff at shelter’s less likely to take these victims seriously, i.e., African American women are perceived as strong and are expected to handle any situation?

Q.  This issue highlights the need for culturally compentent care providers.  Can you talk about how offering culturally competent counseling means more than just having African Americans on staff at women’s shelters, for example?

Q.  How can faith-based institutions help women dealing with domestic violence?  Is the Black Church ever a hindrance?

Amy Schalet is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a specialist on adolescent sexuality and culture in comparative perspective. Her new book, Not Under My Roof: Parents, Teens, and the Culture of Sex was released on November 1, 2011 by the University of Chicago Press.

Brenda Wade, MSW  is the executive director of Achievement Services, Inc.,   a nonprofit organization which partners with schools to design and implement extended learning opportunities in the core subjects of reading, math and science to at-risk and low-performing students in urban school settings.   She is also a part-time as a high school social worker, consulting with child care agencies on issues related to teens and children in foster care.

 Q.  Dr. Schalet, how can American parents and other adults talk with teenagers about sexuality and romantic relationships in more positive terms, while bolstering young people’s capacities to protect themselves against potential negative experiences and consequences?

The first step is to recognize that the majority of teenagers engage in some form of sexual intimacy before leaving high school, and that the question of under what conditions sex takes place is as important as whether it happens at all. Parents may feel most anxious about the question of whether “it” has happened and if so, whether “it” is still happening, but conversations may be easier if parents pay more attention to what I call the ABCD’s of adolescent sexuality: Autonomy,Building healthy relationships, Connectedness, and Diversity.

We tend to dramatize teenage sexuality through the assumption that young people are unable to exercise control over their urges and interactions. But they can do so, provided we help teens develop autonomy in relation to sexuality. Too often, we emphasize only one aspect ofautonomy: saying “no” to sex. But to fully understand and communicate about boundaries, young people need to also understand their sexual wishes, distinguish these wishes from others’ expectations, decide how to act on their desires, and take responsibility for their choices. We can encourage such self-knowledge and ownership by urging teens to move slowly when they explore, progressing only when both partners feel comfortable and really want it. We might ask teens: “What do think ‘being ready’ for sex means?” “When is a couple ready?” “If you felt ready, where would you get condoms and other contraceptives?”

Q.  Ms. Wade, as a social worker how have you seen parents’ reluctance to discuss sexuality affect the teens you counsel?

[Insert Brenda's response here.]

Q.  Dr. Schalet, how does our American culture affect parents’ comfort with discussing sexual issues with their teens?

In our society, we have few cultural scenarios for discussing healthy intimacy that don’t revolve around marriage, yet we do not want teens or even those in their early twenties to embark on marriage. While we send the message that marriage can wait, relationships do not, and young people need to learn that building healthy relationships requires mutual interest, respect, care and trust. To start that conversation, we might ask: “Among your friends, are there couples you admire? Why? What makes that relationship special?” “Are there couples whose relationship bothers you? What might improve their relationship?” If romance proves too loaded a topic, we might start by asking teenagers about their friendships.

Parents are often troubled by teenage sexuality because they feel it is an area in which they have little control, as many teens, particularly girls, hide their sexual lives from their parents — for fear of disappointing them or being judged. However, maintaining parent-teen connectedness is critical for teenage wellbeing, sexually and otherwise. Experts often urge parents to clearly communicate their values, but I would add the recommendation to state clearly: “The most important thing to me is my relationship with you; even if you behave differently from what I would wish or believe is right for you, I want you to feel that you can talk to me.” By keeping that connection strong and the conversation open, parents are able to have more influence.

Teenage sexuality is an arena of life in which Americans see some of our greatest personal and cultural diversity. That diversity can be hard to talk about; it encompasses a range of orientations and beliefs that many parents find troubling. At the same time, it offers parents and educators a great opportunity to enter into conversations about accepting and respecting difference within a community: Much as teens want to be and look like everyone else in their peer group, sexuality is an arena in which each person is unique. And young people need to learn that teenagers range in the pace of their physical and emotional development; vary in sexual orientations, and may hold different beliefs about sex based on their religion and culture.

Q. Ms. Wade, you practice in suburban Washington, DC where there is a great diversity among the residents, i.e., Hispanics, Asian-Americans, etc.  Clearly there is a need for cultural competency for social workers counseling parents of different cultures, races, etc.  How do you adjust your methods of talking to parents and teens about sexual issues among various cultures?

[Insert Brenda's response here]

Q.  Dr. Schalet, what is the best way to eliminate parents squeamishnes about sex and their teens?

The ABCD’s go far beyond what we usually think of as “the talk.” Like all healthy relationships, they take time. Conversations about knowing when you’re ready, building good relationships, staying connected despite disappointment, and honoring uniqueness in oneself and in others take more than a one-time talk. But when placed in the context of human emotion, connections, and respect for difference, sexuality can lose some of the “ick” factor that drives parents and teens to avoid the topic altogether. When we focus on young people’s emergent autonomy, their burgeoning relationships, on our ongoing connection with our children, and our recognition of diversity, we can educate from hope rather than fear.

To celebrate Pride Month, we asked LGBT social workers to talk about  their career and proudest achievements.

Kerry D. Bird, MSW
Program Coordinator
The Uppowoc Project
North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs
Raleigh, North Carolina

Mr. Bird

Q. Mr. Bird, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?

I earned a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. My concentration area was social and economic development. My career goal was to become executive director of a state, regional, or national Native American nonprofit organization.

I am currently the Program Coordinator for the Uppowoc Project, a tobacco use prevention program operated by the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. I have served as interim Executive Director for both the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center and Native Americans in Philanthropy.  I am a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and Lumbee Tribes.

Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?

I was drawn to social work without really knowing about it. After I graduated from UNC, I went to work at an urban Indian center in Greensboro, NC. There I saw firsthand the struggles American Indians in urban areas have to deal with on a daily basis, from human services and unemployment to cultural isolation. From this beginning, I moved on to the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, a state advocacy agency working on behalf of American Indians. There I started a career in substance abuse prevention by working with American Indian youth. Coming from a family affected by alcoholism, it was easy to have a passion for my work. Shortly after meeting the recruiter for Washington University, I attended the National Indian Education Association conference where I heard many messages about the need for American Indians to pursue higher education opportunities. It was then that I made the decision to pursue my master’s degree and actually called the recruiter from the conference to let her know I would be applying.

After completing my degree, I worked several years in the field of diversity consulting and training. It was important to increase awareness of and appreciation for cultural diversity and the impact our bias’ and prejudices have on others. I continue to volunteer in the American Indian and GLBT communities.

Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?

My proudest professional achievement was being able to put my social work skills to work when I moved home to provide full-time care for my mother who was living with Stage IV lung cancer. Being able to give the loving attentive care as a son to the mother who had provided it so unselfishly throughout her life to her family was truly the most rewarding experience of my life.

From a perspective of national work on behalf of American Indians, serving as President of the National Indian Education Association was a true honor. Advocating for improved educational opportunities and experiences for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children is an ongoing effort. A solid educational foundation as a youth can have a long term effect on the well-being of an adult.

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

Social workers often do so much more than the general public is aware of.  There are social workers running major organizations and institutions.  Here is another example of this, Dr. James J. Kelly. 

Dr. Kelly

   
  Name:  James J. Kelly, PhD, MSSW
  Title:  President
  Organization:  Menlo College
  Education: 
  Years of Experience:

Q.  Dr. Kelly, you are the President of a business college and you have a social work  background.  This is a rare and impressive accomplishment. What would you say are the strengths that have allowed you to reach this level of success?

Well, I think it takes a particular type of personality to do well in academic administration.  Although, like many social workers, I have experience with direct client care (HIV/AIDS) I also have an interest in leading an organization and especially the financial side of it.  How can I recruit more students?  How can I increase fundraising?  I also have good people skills and don’t mind all of the international traveling I have to do as a college president.  All of these task are within my own personal comfort zone.

Q.  What advice would you have for a social worker who shares your ambitions?

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To honor Native American Heritage Month, we asked Native American social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.

Sandra F. Johnson, MSW, LCSW,  ACSW
Cherokee Nation

Private Practitioner and Trauma Recovery Specialist
Beverly Hills, Michigan  

Ms. Johnson

Q. Ms. Johnson, what is your area of specialization and where are you employed?

I have a diverse practice with individuals, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds. One of my main areas of expertise is with trauma recovery, including dissociative disorders. I currently share an office suite in Beverly Hills, MI with another therapist. Our office is very child friendly as we also see children with learning disabilities and mood disorders.

Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?

I truly believe that social work chose me, for which I am most grateful. The youngest of 12, my Cherokee mother left her southern roots and people after her mother’s death when she was just 16. In Michigan, she married a first generation Swede. While I was raised to be proud of my heritages, I saw my mother distance from and deny her own. Somehow, I grew up with a sensitivity  to what I would now call intergenerational trauma.

Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?

There is nothing so gratifying as in helping others understand their traumatic pasts, often times starting with their ancestors: seeing how  incidents have played out over time, again and again, then finally being able to resolve these, bringing the legacy of trauma to a halt. We may recall human history as filled with great horrors of invasions, famines, diseases,   etc. . .

Consider the first slaves in the Americas from orphaned or kidnapped teens and children of Europeans, followed by our Native people who could not be so easily contained;  Then the Africans that survived the horrors of their ocean voyage. Consider the removals of so many of our children, forced into missionary schools that forbade their own tongue, let along the removal of entire tribes/nations. We know that with epi-genetics our very DNA is affected by  trauma and   can be manifested in generations thereafter.

Helping even one person in the present heal and move beyond their traumatic past, is a way of preserving one’s heritage by opening up a more psychologically freed future for generations to come. It is like planting a tree from whose shade you will never know: a pleasure in the present and a promise of greater things to come for those that follow!
  

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

To honor Native American Heritage Month, we asked Native American social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.  

Michele Gunter, MSW, LCSW
Pasqua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona

Private Practitioner
Roanoke, Virginia

Ms. Gunter

Q.   Ms. Gunter, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?

Q.   Why did you choose social work as your profession?

Q.   What are your proudest professional achievements?

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.

To honor Native American Heritage Month, we asked Native American social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.

Robin Wilson, MSW
The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

Family Therapist
Elk Grove Township
Des Plaines, Illinois

Q.   Ms. Wilson, where did you receive your education, what is your area of specialization and where are you employed?

I received my BSW and MSW from UW-Milwaukee.    I am a family therapist and work for Elk Grove Township.

Q.   Why did you choose social work as your profession?

I chose social work as a career because I always wanted to help others.

Q.   What are your proudest professional achievements?

My proudest professional accomplishment is when I see families make positive change.

To find a social worker in your area, please click here.