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Posts Tagged ‘
African American social workers ’
Introduction
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.
Tags: 2011 Black History Month, African American social workers, Jacqueline Jackson
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, ACSW
Therapist, Relationship Expert,
Executive Coach and Professional Speaker
New York, New York
 Ms. Pender Greene Q. Ms. Pender Greene, where did you earn your social work degree are what are your work responsibilities?
I earned my Bachelors of Science in Pre-Social Work and my MSW from New York University. I recently began a full-time psychotherapy practice. I specialize in career and executive coaching, adult relationships and leadership development. I have become known for my passionate commitment to the advancement of women in leadership roles.
My background also includes executive and management responsibility for America's largest nonprofit—The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services—a non-sectarian mental health and social service organization.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I had two mentors, both of whom were social workers, when I was in the 8th grade and I wanted to be a social worker ever since that time. I believe that social work is a calling. It is not for everyone but when a person is called to the profession social work becomes a passion. I am inherently curious about others and extremely compassionate. These characteristics, coupled with my belief in the power of systemic change, make social work a natural profession for me.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
In July 2001, I became the president elect of the National Association of Social workers New York City chapter. I had wanted to become a social worker since 8th grade when I first learned about the profession. Social work is indeed a calling for me. I pursued my degree straight from high school and never took a semester off before receiving my MSW. Words cannot explain the excitement that filled me when I took the office of president of the NYC chapter of NASW, it was a dream come true.
My presidency was crammed with challenges and adventure.
1. These challenges include:
a. September 11, 2001, and the aftermath impacted New York City, its social workers and my presidency. NASW played a major role as Social workers, were called upon to give service and support to grieving and frightened New Yorkers despite their own issues of grief and loss.
b. I was invited to Scotland to address hundreds of Social workers about the role that New York City social workers played during 9-11. As an added benefit, I received lots of press and I shared the dais with England's princess Anne. I was indeed proud to be representing NASW and NYC's social workers.
2. During my tenure as president, the chapter membership reached over 10,000 for the first time ever.
3. New York State social work licensure was passed after nearly 18 years of lobbing.
4. As president, the executive director and I took up the issue of structural racism within the chapter and the profession.
a. We were clear that in order to claim clinical excellence, it is necessary to address issues of race and racism otherwise, social workers are missing critical issues that affect the lives of clients, colleagues and other people of color,
b. We were active in bringing the People's Institutes' Undoing Racism workshops to New York City and encouraged hundreds of Social workers to attend from throughout the state with one of the goals being to engage in an authentic dialogue about race and racism in our profession
c. We strongly encouraged all board members of the chapter to attend the undoing racism workshop.
d. Since we are clear that structural racism is not about individual acts of meanness but instead it is about structures, policies and procedures that empower some people and put roadblocks in the path of others, we focused our attention on structural issues.
Through the ANTIRACISTALLIANCE a cross- racial collective of social workers, other human service practitioners and educators, our vision is to bring a clear and deliberate anti-racist structural power analysis to our beloved social work education and practice.
While there is much that still needs to be done our work on structural racism within the profession continues to grow and is impacting the way that social workers within NYC and the state view social work education and practice…this represents my proudest moment as a social worker.
Honors and Publications:
2009 – New York University Silver School Distinguished Alumni Award
2007 – The Network Journal 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business 2007
Ms. Pender Geene is co-author of:
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Mary Pender Greene
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Tricia Bent-Goodley, PhD, MSW, LICSW
Professor and Chair
Macro (Policy, Community & Administrative Practice) Sequence
Howard University School of Social Work
Washington, DC
 Dr. Bent-Goodley Q. Dr. Bent-Goodley, where did you receive your social work education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you currently employed?
I earned my PhD from Columbia University and MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. My areas of expertise include violence against women and girls, cultural competence, HIV and healthy relationship education. I am currently employed at the Howard University School of Social Work
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I chose social work as my profession because I believe in the profession’s ability to address social problems on multi-levels, finding solutions that give voice to those that are most vulnerable.. Oh, and I wanted to help people too!
Q. What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I have had many proud moments as a social worker and as a social work educator. However, one particular moment stands out to me. I was working as a school social worker in Harlem. A teacher ran into my office screaming that there was a child on the roof getting ready to jump. I ran upstairs to the roof. There was a 9-year-old boy literally on the ledge. I used all of the techniques I learned to talk him off that ledge. By the time the police arrived, the little boy was safely standing with me. I always say that we save lives as social workers. Knowing that I could help save a life, using my education as a social worker and the abilities God gave me, has been one of my proudest accomplishments.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month 2011, Tricia Bent-Goodley
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Grace Dillard Tatem, Ed.D., GSW, ACSW
Retired Associate Professor
Grambling University
Grambling, Louisiana
 Dr. Tatem is 3rd from the left Q. Dr. Tatem, where did you receive your social work education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you currently employed?
I was a faculty member in the School of Social Work Grambling State University (GSU) from August, 1986 until June, 2009. I retired as a tenured Associate Professor after twenty-three (23) consecutive years of employment. While at GSU, I taught policy and developed practice courses in Rural Social Work at the undergraduate level. I also taught at the graduate level and served as the Acting Coordinator of the MSW program. I am most proud of the establishment of a Chapter of Phi Alpha Honorary Society during my tenure there.
My education began in my hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi where I received all of my elementary and high school education. Upon receiving my high school diploma from Broad Street High School in May, 1956, I attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. I graduated from Fisk in June 1960 with a B.A. in Psychology.
After ten years of employment ifor the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I received my MSW from the University of Pennsylvania in May 1971. After twenty-two consecutive years of working for the Commomwealth of Pennsylvania, I retired from Pennsylvania and relocated to Grambling Louisiana to be near my only daughter and sister. Not wanting to retire, I decided to change my career and sought a position as a faculty member at GSU. Fortunately, they had one position available for an MSW position in their Undergraduate program, so I was hired as an Assistant Professor.
After five years of employment, I enrolled in the Doctoral program in Developmental Education as a part-time student. After thirteen years of study, in May 2001,I earned my Doctorate in Education, one month after my daughter received her PhD in Psychology.
Prior to teaching, I worked for twenty-two and a half years in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a practitioner in social work in the fields of health, mental health, gerontology, and geriatrics.
I have been extensively involved in community service in Lincoln and Jackson parishes. I have founded two professional organizations. The first one, the National Association of University Women-Grambling Branch, was founded in March, 1988. I also served as the Editor of the Journal for six years. I am currently the secretary of the Grambling Branch.
The second organization founded was the Grambling Chapter of the Association of Black Social Workers of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. I currently serve as the President of the Chapter and on the Steering Committee of the National Office. I also reactivated the local chapter of the NAACP and chaired the first Freedom Fund Banquet held in Grambling in April 2004.
I provided mental health consultative service as a volunteer at the Pine Belt Head Center in Jonesborso, Louisiana for over ten years. I also served as a volunteer for the Wade Correctional Center in Homer, Louisiana. I have presented on college campuses, Head Start, and the prison. I have received numerous awards and honors fom my professional and civic participation in organizations. My most treasured awards are those from the students of GSU – The Drum Major Award for Justice and the first recipient of the "Advisor of the Year Award."
Service to others is extremely important to me. It is difficult for me to say "No" when I am called upon for spiritual and/or religious tasks. I am a member of the St. Luke's Episcopal Chapel in Grambling. I am a lector there and serve as the Coordinator of the Canterbury Association (an organization that serves college students). For three years, I served on the Board of the Episcopal Church women (ECW) for the Western Diocese of Louisiana andr recently resigned from the Campus Ministry Board of GSU after serving for six years. I currently Chair the Board of the Performing Arts Department at Grambling State University.
Commitment is also very important to me. I express this value through my affiliations in organizations. I am a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Fisk Alumni Association, The Grambling State University Alumni Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). I have been an active member of the National Association of Social Workers for over twenty-five years (received the SW of the Year Award from the Monroe Chapter in the nineties), the NABSW, the Council on Social Work Education, Lambda Phi Chapter of Phi Alpha and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Societi
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession:?
I chose social work as a practitioner to meet my spiritual and Christian need to serve others who I felt required more reaching out to than usual. (Remember, I am from a very depressed, oppressed, and povery stricken part of the deep south-born in MS in 1938.) Whenever you were blessed with an education, you were “expected to come back home and/or use it to help others.
I chose social work as an educator because I felt that with 22 and a half consecutive years of “being in the trenches,” I wanted to share my knowledege and experience with those who were getting ready to enter. I was allowed to use nontraditional methods of teaching undergraduate students.
This has been a privilege for me for I don’t recall having met a social workers who actually worked for 17 years in a mental hospital, left, and went into the classroom of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) to work. Social Work is my passion. I love people and I love serving others.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
I have never felt like “I was going to work” but rather that I was going to provide service to those who requested it. It has been a blessing for 45 years of my life. I stil meet with a senior citizens group on Wednesdays for recreational activities every Wed. from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
My proudest professional achievement was to establish a chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society at Grambling State University in 2003 and to obtain an Ed.D. after 13 years of part time study (and full time employment) at age 62.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Grace Tatem
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Jeanne D. Cooper, MSW, LCSW
Program Analyst
Maryland Department of Human Resources
Office of Grants Management
Approved Field Instructor
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Baltimore, Maryland
 Ms. Cooper Q. Ms. Cooper, where did you receive your social work education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you currently employed?
I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker in the State of Maryland who began a social work career in 1975, providing individual counseling. Today, I manage federally and state-funded programs that serve citizens throughout the state. I am an approved field instructor of graduate level students with the University of Maryland School of Social Work-Baltimore and an adjunct instructor of introductory-level courses in Social Welfare and Sociology at the Prince George's Community College in Largo Maryland.
Since 1998, I have enjoyed my work within state government at the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR), the state's central social services agency, managing grants awarded to providers of direct services to victims of crime. During the past 13 years, I have built solid working relationships with over 50 agencies whose goal is to assist crime victims to recover following crisis and trauma. Domestic violence, rape/sexual assault, child physical and sexual abuse, elder abuse, and homicide survivors are among the victim categories targeted by those agencies. As the result of that work, I have developed expertise in managing grants, writing specifications for grants, and developing outcome measures for programs. Also, I have cultivated knowledge about many of the social and behavioral issues that arise from crime victimization. The Victim services field was new to me when I arrived at DHR.
I earned the Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work in 1973 and was licensed in 1983. Early in my career, I worked in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Fairfax, Virginia as a probation counselor in the Child Support Enforcement Unit. Subsequently, I was a foster care social worker at a non-profit agency. Between the latter position and my current position, I was a stay-at-home mother of three who used social work skills as PTA President, Brownie Troop co-leader, interviewer of elementary school principal candidates, presenter of workshops for teachers on the topic of cultural tolerance and acceptance, and classroom volunteer during Black History Month and on other occasions. Also, I served as the lead social worker in a non-profit organization whose mission was to provide culturally-competent programs for African –Americans parents, children, and adolescents.
Q. Why did you choose social work as a profession?
I was fortunate to spend the first 13 years of my life in the home of my maternal grandparents who believed in serving others. Their example inspired me to seek opportunities to be of service too. My grandmother organized an informal summer camp as a means for encouraging pre-teens and teens to study the Bible and to develop social skills. Together, she and I would visit the sick and, occasionally, she would send me as her good will ambassador to visit homebound neighbors. My task was to read scripture or poetry to them. My grandfather visited the city jail, especially on Christmas morning, to sing carols with other members of the male chorus of his church.
My grandparents' examples of how one might serve others led me to consider becoming a nurse or possibly a teacher. Another influential source was that of my high school social studies teacher who introduced my class to the discipline of Sociology. I was intrigued by it to the extent that when I entered Virginia Union University, I immediately chose it as my major. During my senior year there, I took several elective courses in social welfare, so when a student recruiter from the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Social Work visited the campus with a very enticing presentation about the institution, I was ready to submit an application. I am very proud to have studied there.
Q. What is Your Proudest Professional Achievement?
My proudest professional achievement was realized when I was chosen as one of 33 social workers out of several thousand from around the state employed by DHR, to receive the 2009 Excellence in Social Work Award. Subsequently, I have received verbal and written accolades from representatives of the service provider agencies with whom I have worked these past 13 years. Some remarks about me also were sent to the Director of the office in which I work. I have been complimented on my customer service skills, guidance around program and policy issues, and knowledge of their respective programs. Those professionals identified my "patience" and "understanding" among the qualities that have been most helpful to them as they worked not only to serve their clients, but to comply with the terms and conditions of their grant agreements. It has been my goal to be of service to them. Their responses to my efforts say that it is possible to offer compassion, insight, and hope, even at the macro-level of social work.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Jeanne Cooper
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Terrie M. Williams, MSW
President and Founder
The Terrie Williams Agency
New York, New York
 Ms. Williams Q. Ms. Willams, where did you earn your social work degree and what is your employment background?
I earned my social work degree from Columbia University and from 1977-89 I was a medical social worker at New York Hospital. From there I transitioned to the communications field: Black Filmmaker Foundation, program administrator, 1980-81; Black Owned Communication Alliance, executive director, 1981-82; World Institute of Black Communications Inc, executive director, 1982; Essence Communcations, vice president, and director of corporate communications, 1982-87; Terrie Williams Agency, president and CEO, 1988-.
In addition, I created the Stay Strong Foundation.
 Terrie Williams and The Stay Strong Foundation kick off the "Healing Starts With Us" national campaign with celebrities supporting the cause. Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I was called to be a social worker–it is the core of who I am..I live and breathe serving humanity.. And what I know for sure is that I can’t be who I am supposed to be until you become who you are supposed to be. It was a nine month severe bout of depression five years ago that led to my finding out what I was really put on the earth to do–write a book entitled Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting that would shed light on the unflinching truth about mental health in Black America.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
My proudest moment has been to match my skill set as a social worker and a public relations specialist to be a catalyst to develop the Sharing Ourselves…Healing Starts With Us campaign through my Stay Strong Foundation in collaboration with the Ad Council, & SAMHSA– to educate, inform and transform lives. The campaign , in a year, has garnered over 10 million media impressions and $ 2.5 million in donated media space around the country . . . it just doesn't get any better than that.
This work has formally launched the Terrie Plus Oneâ„¢ Seminar Series: “Your Ticket To A Life-Changing Experience," a self-care, lifestyle series based on the concept of "entertainment therapy," which will launch in Las Vegas in Spring 2011. My sessions offer dramatic readings, music, testimonials, as well as stand-up comedy. The performances are ice breakers which allow attendees to connect to their inner emotions. Through their tears and laughter , they , in turn , openly share their personal testimonies– a crucial first step towardsthe emotional healing process.
I believe that we are inspired by the things and the people that connect us with the essence of who we really truly are. When you cry at a movie, when you are moved by a speech, when you laugh so hard that you can’t breathe, I think that happens because you have had a profound encounter with yourself.
Honors
- 2010 – Selected by Women’s Day Magazine as one of the 50 “Women Who Are Changing The World“
- The New York Women in Communications Matrix Award in Public Relations (she was the first woman of color to receive this award in its 70-year history);
- The PRSA New York Chapter's Phillip Dorf Mentoring Award
he Citizen's Committee for New York Marietta Tree Award for Public Service.
- In 1996 she was the first person of color honored with the Vernon C. Schranz Distinguished Lectureship at Ball State University, and in 1998 she donated her papers to the Howard University Moorland-Springarn Research Center Archives.
Interviews
CNN Television Blacks in America Series, “Almighty Debt,” October 21, 2010.
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Terrie Williams
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Isiah Bingham, BSW, QMHP, MSW, ACSW
Lead Social Worker/Case Manager
The Next Step Program
Norfolk, Virginia
 Mr. Bingham Q. Mr. Bingham, where did you receive your social work education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you currently employed?
I received my undergraduate social work degree from Grambling State University, in Grambling, LA; and my Masters of social work from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. I have completed my LCSW supervision hours, as well. I am currently the lead social worker/case manager for the Next Step Program an entity of St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries, Inc. The Next Step Program is private agency located in Norfolk, VA, focusing solely on the homeless population. We advocate for single homeless males and females ages 18-60.
My position as the lead social worker/case manager requires me to possess knowledge of substance abuse and mental health diagnoses as well as the ability to provide assessment, intervention, service plan development, and linkage and advocacy for all persons experiencing homelessness. My position also requires strong skills in crisis counseling, client education, public speaking and professional preparation in social work principles and practices.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession and what is your proudest professional achievement?
The primary reason I feel that I was placed on this earth is to be a father first and a social worker second. My proudest moment in life was the birth of my two daughters, Bernadette and Stephanie; both of whom are professional women with various college degrees. However, after competing twenty years in the United States Navy, my proudest professional achievement is being able to continue the social work tradition of "helping people help themselves."
Being a proud father coincides with my internal drive to continue to be the best social worker I can be. Ultimately, my proudest professional achievements occur seven days per week, twenty four hours per day as a social worker when I advocate for the single adult homeless population here in the city of Norfolk. My personal reward is providing services to each Next Step client on a daily basis.
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Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Isiah Bingham
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Janice H. Hawkins, MSW, LMSW
PhD Candidate
Staff Development Coordinator
New York City Administration for Children Services
Brooklyn, New York
 Ms. Hawkins Q. Ms. Hawkins, where did you earn your social work degree and what is your area of expertise?
I earned my Master's Degree in Social Work Administration (1992) at the Columbia University School of Social Work. I have been employed with the New York City Administration for Children Services since 1985 My area of expertise is child neglect and abuse.
I began my social work career as a volunteer with Head Start as the Bedford Stuyvesant Area Representative to the New York City Head Start Policy Council. I enjoyed helping parents find ways to contribute on both the neighborhood and city level.
I have been with the New York Administration for City Children Services since 1985. I serve as both an information resource person and one of the agency/Department of Education Liaisons. In my years with NYC ACS I have worked with ACS Finance, High Risk/ Hospital protective/ diagnostic units, the Family Preservation Program, and presently the Brooklyn Division of Child Protection administrative team.
I hold a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, a Master's Degree in Social Work Administration from Colombia University School of Social Work, a Post Graduate Management Development Program Certificate from Hunter School of Social Work and I am Licensed Master Social Worker. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
In raising my children, specifically my son, I was appalled at the way that black children were pigeonholed as problematic at a frighteningly early age. I purposed in my mind to do something about it.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
These days I am busy finding information for professionals and clients alike. In the present atmosphere of cutbacks and layoffs, there are many services and "things" that people need to help themselves and one another that they don't know how to find. There is also a need for skill building to teach staff and clients how to find and do what they need to. In my present position as Staff Development Coordinator at the Brooklyn ACS field office, I am able to access goods, services and information. My proudest achievement is when people [clients and professionals] outside my agency are referred to me for help and I am able to give it or know who can.
Please click here to read Ms. Hawkins piece “Keeping Kids Safe” published by Bed-StuyPatch.com on March 2, 2011. ###
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Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Janice Hawkins
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Jenny L. Jones, PhD
Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Social Work
Richmond, Virginia
 Dr. Jones Q. Where did you earn your social work degree and what is your area of expertise?
I earned my PhD in social work at Clark Atlanta University and my MSW at California State University Long Beach. My area of expertise is in child welfare issues related to work force development: supervision, training, and professional development. In addition to child welfare issues, I am also interested in HIV/AIDS and its impact on children and families affected by the illness.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I chose social work because of my sincere commitment to issues of social justice: inequality, discrimination, over representation, all in the context of policy development and implementation. As an advocate for social change, I believe all persons should be treated fairly, and provided the same level of opportunity to pursue social services in this country. I view myself and my role as a conduit for helping to bring about that change.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
My most proudest professional achievement would have to be my appointment as Director of the Minority Fellowship Programs (MFP) at the Council on Social Work Education. In my role as Director, I had the opportunity to mentor and coach a diverse group of up and coming scholars of color who were enrolled in social work doctoral programs around the country. I was able to use my social work skills to engage and inform fellows in dialogue regarding research, teaching, and service expectations in the academy. I also worked collaboratively with the four other federally funded sister programs (Psychology, Nursing, Psycharity, and Marriage and Family Therapy) who embraced the ideas, values and principles of the social work profession. I advocated for funding at the federal level; met with legislatures to educate them of the importance of the MFP and its commitment to working in communities of color. This experience by far was exciting, informative, and life changing in many ways.
In all my years as a social worker, I can truly say this position was the culmination of my career as a practitioner, administrator, and scholar.
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Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Jenny Jones
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Carole A. Winston, PhD, LCSW
Retired
Former Director of the Maya Angelou Institute
for the Improvement of Child and Family Education
Winston Salem State University
Winston Salem, North Carolina
 Dr. Winston Q. Dr. Winston, where did you receive your social work education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you currently employed?
I earned my Master of Science degree from Columbia University School of Social Work. I earned my doctorate from New York University's Silver School of Social Work
I recently retired from Winston Salem State University as the Director of the Maya Angelou Institute for the Improvement of Child and Family Education. I taught social work practice in the University's BSW program. I also had a private practice where I provide clinical supervision to Provisional Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
My areas of expertise include clinical supervision, grief and bereavement counseling, child and family therapy.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
When I was growing up, as Christmas neared, I looked forward to reading The New York Times' Neediest Cases, stories about families that needed food, or clothing, or a place to live that was warm and safe. I remember feeling that I wanted to do something, anything to help children who were hungry or cold in winter, or didn't know if they would have a place to live because their parents had no money. I remember also saying, in my high school yearbook, that I wanted to be a Clinical Social Worker. I am sure I had no idea what that was, but it sounded like something I might like to do or should do.
I believe I chose social work as a profession because I came from a family of people who cared for others. Service was in my DNA. As a clinician and an educator, I continue to serve by sharing knowledge, offering support, and giving back to a profession that has rewarded me immeasurably.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
In my career as a Social Work Clinician, I am most proud of having worked with the most amazing adolescent girls who were struggling to find their way into womanhood; trying to negotiate newfound relationships with family, friends, and love interests; balancing school with work and/or childcare; and trying to see to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, all while being 14-17 years old.
In my second career teaching social work courses, I am proud to have taught hundreds of students who came into the academy wanting to help, because they were helped by a social worker or they somehow knew that they wanted to be a part of a profession dedicated to helping people to help themselves overcome obstacles to productive living.
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Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Carole Winston
Posted in
2011 Black History Month Celebration |
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