Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work Centennial Bulletin

SPECIAL CENTENNIAL BULLETIN

FALL 2021

ABOUT US

Founded in 1920, the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work is the nation’s first accredited school of social work at a historically black college or university (HBCU), and the first to be accredited in the State of Georgia. The school is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and has maintained its accreditation since 1952.

The School utilizes an Afrocentric, autonomous social work practice model to prepare culturally competent practitioners capable of intervening and working with systems of all sizes and resolving problems that particularly affect African American children, families, and males within the context of family and community.

The curriculum is built on a liberal arts base and is guided by humanistic values. Graduates are prepared to recognize and impact social and economic injustice issues at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

The mission of the Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social Work, congruent with the University’s mission, is to prepare social work professionals, practitioners and leaders with the knowledge, skills and abilities to address culturally diverse human and social issues locally, nationally and globally.

The School’s mission reaffirms the mission and the cultural creed of the University. The mission preserves and disseminates the heritage of African American people and seeks to produce diverse graduates who are productive and responsible citizens who advance the purposes of social work education and address social, economic, and racial disparity issues that prevail on a global level.

Our vision is to advance a just and compassionate society that promotes health and well-being and the empowerment of all oppressed groups, especially those affected by racial, social, and economic inequities.

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN ………………………………………………………4 NAMING OF THE SCHOOL………………………………………………………….6 WORK OF WHITNEY M. YOUNG, JR…………………………………………….7

SANKOFA: LOOKING BACK– MOVING FORWARD …………………………..8 HOODING CEREMONY FOR THE CLASS OF 2021 ………………………..10 THE VALUE OF HBCU’S ………………………………………………………..12 COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH & THE BLACK COMMUNITY……………….14 MEET OUR NEW FACULTY……………………………………………………….16 QUARLES-WASHINGTON HALL………………………………………………….17 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION …………………………………………………….18 ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT……………………………………………………..22 FACULTY EMERITUS & WALL OF DEANS…………………………………….23 FACULTY & STAFF DIRECTORY…………………….…….…………..………..24 CENTENNIAL DONORS…………………………………………………………...25 HISTORIC TIMELINE……………………………………………………………….26

“Moving Forward While Looking Back”

SAN K O FA

CONTENTS

MWhitney ESSAGE FROM THE DEAN M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work along the way our contributions to the progress of

Hello Alumni and Friends,

mankind, our students, alumni, friends, and I am pleased to share with you our Annual

community.

Bulletin, Centennial Edition. As you know, the past years 2019, 2020 have been challenging,

naming of the School to Mr. Young’s influence

frightening, and encouraging.

From

the

impact

of

This Centennial Bulletin looks back to the on the curriculum, to current

disproportionate the

day health/mental health impact

COVID-19 racial

of COVID-19 on communities

reckoning that brought about

of color, to the value of HBCU.

painful

racial

We also welcome our new

injustices

faculty, celebrate our faculty retirement and Emeritus status,

pandemic

to

the

memories

inequalities

of

and

against

Black

and

brown

people,

to

the

racial

to acknowledging our legacy.

violence and anti-blackness of white America, police killings

Whitney M. Young, Jr School

of

Black

of Social Work, established in

to

1920 has been educating future

unarmed

men

and

women,

the elevation of social justice as

social

the apex to which America

advance

should aspire, I share hope,

Dr. Jenny L. Jones, Dean & Professor

social

graduates justice

to and

create impactful change using the Afro-centric perspective as its

resiliency, and future directions that allow us to look back and move forward.

work

signature pedagogical approach for the past 100 years.

In the spirit of Sankofa, an African proverb, we at Whitney M. Young, Jr School of Social Work will do just that, “go back and pick it up.

This issue of our Centennial bulletin, we go

The year 2020 marked the Centennial year of this great School. Therefore, we dedicate this Bulletin

as

our

Centennial

edition,

marking 100 years of excellence.

back to our beginnings as a School and pick up

4

S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

The yearlong celebration planned to launch

virtual delivery of courses and programs,

Fall 2019 through Fall 2020 were altered due to

assisting and supporting our community in

COVID-19. The planning pivoted from a series

addressing issues of systematic oppression, voter

of face-to-face events to a virtual format to give

education, or COVID-19 and mental health

recognition to this great School and its enduring

challenges they remained collegial, creative, and

legacy and contributions to the social work pro-

committed.

fession. We continued to provide virtual centennial events through October 2021.

To find a complete listing of the Centennial

events, and future School events, visit the SSW website: [cau.edu/school-of-social-work].

Above all, the school has remained focus on our commitment to achieving social justice for the poor, oppressed, people of color, and other

marginalized groups.

As we continue our work with the students,

Another change to our daily structure due to

University Student Government Association, and

COVID-19 has been how we carry out our day

community partners to advance racial equity

to day lives. The way we teach, learn, work, and

across the Atlanta communities and beyond, we

interact with each other has changed.

will lean on our strength and resiliency as we

Over the past year and a half our faculty, staff, students, and alumni have worked tirelessly to provide impactful educational, service, and

“fetch what is at risk of fear of being left behind”. In the spirit of Sankofa, I invite you to join us in this effort!

research experiences to our students and the social work community. Be it the abrupt shift to

5

NAMING OF THE SCHOOL

The name of the School of Social Work was

These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and

changed from Clark Atlanta University School of

knowledge about oppression and cultural and

Social Work to Whitney M Young, Jr., School of

ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure

Social Work at the School’s 80th Anniversary on

access to needed information, services, and

Saturday, October 28, 2000 under the presidency of

resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful

Dr. Thomas W. Cole, Jr., and the deanship of

participation in decision making for all people.”

Dr. Dorcas D. Bowles.

Whitney understood that Atlanta University School of

President Cole spoke with Dean Bowles in early

Social Work should ensure that all students were given

2000 stating that he thought the school should be

the knowledge, skills and values that would allow them

re-named Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social

to work with oppressed, marginalized individuals and

Work because of Whitney’s long history of work at

groups no matter their culture, race, education or

the Urban League on social justice and equality.

socio-economic status.

After the discussion with Dean Bowles, President

He made sure that the curricula at Atlanta University

Cole spoke with Whitney’s two sisters who were

School of Social Work included content on social

thrilled and honored that the School would be

justice issues in practice, human behavior, policy and

re-named in their brother’s honor. President Cole

that students’ theses should focus on these areas to add

stated that he wanted the faculty to ensure that

to the body of knowledge for schools of social work

students understood issues related to clients who

throughout the country advocating for issues that

are marginalized or disenfranchised and how to

impacted their lives and their communities.

combat racism and oppression, gender inequality, and discrimination wherever they saw it.

Working toward social justice is one of the six core values of social work as outlined in the Code of

Ethics. Core value 6 of the Code of Ethics

defines social justice as: “Social

workers

pursue

social

change,

particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social

change efforts

are focused

primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice.

6

S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

- IN THE AREA OF RESEARCH Young encouraged faculty to have their students do their master’s thesis on issues impacting Communities of Color to add to the body of knowledge on behalf of these vulnerable populations.

Summarily, Young, as Dean of the School of Social Work, wanted professors to teach students not to simply talk about societal ills, but to work themselves and with their clients to create a new and better society.

- IN THE AREA OF POLICY Young understood that economic injustice was evident in low wages, job discrimination, a lack of job training opportunities, and high unemployment in certain communities, especially Communities of Color. He wanted professors to teach students how to advocate for policies that reduced poverty and increased educational and employment opportunities in communities plagued by poverty and how to work with clients to give them needed skills to fight to reduce poverty and increase educational and employment opportunities in their communities.

Young supported faculty in working with students to lobby their elected officials on issues that would impact clients and communities and the importance of becoming policy advocates by involving them in a wide variety of advocacy activities including having students meet with their local politicians, write letters to local and national politicians and to newspaper editors, and develop petitions to legislators on various issues, among other activities,. He wanted professors who taught policy to teach social work students to support their clients in advocating for issues that impacted their lives and their communities.

7

Reflection: The metaphorical symbol of Sankofa and the reimagining of Social Work and social justice during the twin challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic and systemic racism at The Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work. - By: Dr. Darrin E. Wright, LMSW, MAC. The Sankofa is a metaphorical

George Floyd specifically, and other people of color generally in

symbol from the language of the

2020.

Adinkra symbols, which literally

During this time, many Scholar-Practitioners within the School

means in the Twi language of

of Social Work engaged in various roles such as peaceful pro-

the

group

testing and calling for an end to systematic police brutality to

(pronounced as tree), "go back

providing expert opinions on invited forums across the nation.

and pick it up" ( Quarcoo,

For example, Dr. Gerry White and I in our role as educators as-

1972). The symbol is used pri-

sisted in the planning of a series of virtual workshops with an

marily by the Akan people of

interdisciplinary group of practitioners and scholars in the field

present-day Ghana, Ivory Coast,

of medicine, public health, social work, mass media communica-

and other neighboring ethnic

tion, and psychology. These workshops were held via zoom and

groups in West Africa. It has also been adopted as an important

through the use of social media. The stated purpose was to edu-

symbol among African Americans and the African Diaspora, for

cate the community and the surrounding neighborhoods in At-

whom many have an ancestral lineage.

lanta and beyond about the impact of COVID-19 on Black and

There are two depictions typically used for the symbol. The first

Brown people. The workshops, sponsored by the Omicron Phi

is that of a bird with its head turned backward taking an egg

Lambda Graduate Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.,

from its back, and the other is a heart-shaped symbol.

were a success.

In both instances, it expresses the importance of reaching back to

In summary, the year 2020 compelled the School of Social Work

knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present in

to engage the metaphorical symbol of Sankofa - "go back and

order to make positive progress.

get it", by revisiting our past that made the “formerly known

Dr. Darrin Wright Director of Field Education

Akan

From an Afrocentric perspective of social work practice utilized in our School of Social Work, the Sankofa symbol reminds us of the eighth

ethnic

Sanfoka: Looking Back-Moving Forward

concept, which states "the significance of selfknowledge and one's personal experience" as essential features of self-awareness needed to develop reflective practice, which is at the heart of becoming a competent and confident social worker. It is an essential element of learning and development in social work education and an important aspect of social work practice (Knott & Scragg, 2016).

An example of this reflective practice was evident during the early weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ex-

Atlanta School of Social Work” currently named Whitney M. Young Jr. School a Social Work, "more than a school, rather A Promotional Agency for Social Welfare". We reimagined ourselves through a 21st-century

lens to engage our students, faculty, and community stakeholders for a shared meaning by reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present to make positive progress in our communities to address the social injustices associated with COVID-19, systematic racism and police brutality of African-Americans specifically, and other people of color generally.

References

posed the reality of nonexistent to outright unequal access to

Knott, C., & Scragg, T. (Eds.). (2016). Reflective practice in social work. Learning Matters.

healthcare for African Americans and Latinos. The epidemic of

Quarcoo, A. K. (1972). The language of Adinkra symbols. Legon, Ghana: Sebewie Ventures.

systematic racism and white supremacy manifested itself in un-

Spriggs, M. (2007). Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work History. [Presentation].

warranted police brutality and vigilante killings of African

Clark Atlanta University, Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work.

Americans such as, Ahmaud Arbery, Breanna Taylor and

8

COVID-19, SOCIAL UNREST AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SOCIAL WORKERS: A SOCIAL ACTIVISM APPROACH The response to the pandemic and growing social

The most viewed sessions

unrest was swift. In March 2020, while many

included: 1) The Epidemic

organizations and institutions scrambled to develop

Within

and implement a meaningful plan, Drs. White and

Examining the Senseless

Wright, along with members of the Alpha Phi

Killings

Alpha

American Men, 2) Behind

Fraternity

Incorporated,

Omicron

Phi

the

Pandemic:

of

African

Lambda Chapter organization recognized the need

the

Numbers:

for a platform to properly inform and educate the

Sense of the Data Trends

African American community on the facts, patterns,

for

and trends related to COVID-19 and the Social

3) Facing the COVID Vac-

Unrest, both critical issues that was impacting our

cination Controversy: Our Historical Cause for

community.

Concern, and 4) A Shot in the Dark: Clinical Trials,

African

Making

Americans,

Gerry White, Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Vaccinations & The Race for the Cure.

Drs. Gerry L. White, Assistant Professor and

The series garnished national attention as Curtis Bond,

Darren Wright, Associate Professor, along with

an NBC news award winning journalist covered the

other African American professionals representing

story on May 6, 2020:

various disciplines led a discussion via Facebook Live to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and social

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-frats-

justice on the African American Community.

host-virtual-sessions-empower-black-men-duringpandemic-n1194406

White and Wright facilitated a sixteen-week series beginning March 29, 2020 titled “Chat with The Frat.”

Representatives

from

the

medical

profession,

community and public health, political science, journalism, law enforcement and mental health field contributed each week to the Facebook Live sessions.

Approximately 300 participants logged into the live discussions each week, resulting in more than 2,000

views for select topics. Each session began with updates from medical doctors on the spread of the virus, the infection rate and deaths, and the impact on the African American Community.

9

THE HOODING

CEREMONY

The Hooding Ceremony at Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social Work precedes Commencement and has as its purpose the induction of BSW and MSW graduates into the social work profession. The induction carries with it a set of expectations and responsibilities that graduates must exemplify that include professional knowledge, skills, behaviors, ethics and values that reflect the mission, goals and aims of the profession. As well, this ceremony recognizes Ph.D. candidates for graduation.

Students from the BSW and MSW Programs are descripted as baton bearers. The baton bearers represent students with the highest cumulative grade point average in their respective programs.

2021 BSW GRADUATES Alexis Averett

La'Troys Goslee

Krystiona Mclean

Destanie Baker

Crystal Harris

Reniah Munson

Tamarra Burns

Carmesia Jackson

Terri Samuels-Gordon

Eboni Davis

Charles Johnson

Anika Steed

Ta'Meria Dennard

Joi Joseph

Daijah Williams

2021 MSW GRADUATES Saja Al Mashaf*

James Garrett*

Kira Milton*

Lama Alanazi**

Tyler Goins*

Josephine Mitchell*

Nouf Aldawsari**

Kiarra Harper*

Tanisha Normil*

Yousef Alghadi**

Shakira Hill*

Talicia Pass*

Nafaah Almaghrabi**

Jessica Hoskins*

Tyler Pettigrew*

Keesha Ballard**

Starr Jackson*

Wejdan Sahb**

Katasha Ballet Stocks*

Sabrina Crawley-James*

Sydney Simmons*

Dalia Batarfi**

Daijah Johnson*

Kayla Smith*

Ruby Berry*

Shaniece Johnson*

Tiera Stevens*

Krystal Bobo*

Taneshia Johnson Ervin*

Tara Taylor*

Anthony Brown*

Kaneiya Jones*

Daina Toogood*

Khadijah Bryant*

Renika Jones*

Jordyn White*

Ebony Carr*

Lavoris Lee*

Shanise Woodson*

Christopher Carter*

Alyse Lowery*

Joseph Wright*

Kahlil Cohens*

Taylor Martin*

J’Lessa Yelder*

Charity Dezelle*

Arlicia Maxie*

Deneca Durden*

Crystal McCullum*

Breyonna Fawling*

Jonita McKinney*

Lauren Fraser* Sh’Katherine Garner* § Æ

Represents Zeta Kappa Chapter of Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society Alpha Epsilon Lambda Graduate Honors Society = Overall University 3.81 GPA

10

S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

2021 Ph.D. GRADUATES Salma Aldawsari

F OCUS

ON

Enchante Franklin Shirlene Gordon

Naynette Kennett Edward Valentine

B LACK M ALE G RADUATES

OF

2021

Congratulations to the class of 2021!

11

T HE V ALUE OF H ISTORICAL B LACK C OLLEGES & U NIVERSITIES The HBCU Experience…..life changing!

One of the most important contributions of Black

ability to express themselves and freely debate and

pioneers in improving the foundation of education is

dialogue the issues of the day without fear of

the creation of Historically Black Colleges and

consequences or judgment, particularly when those

Universities

were

views differ from that of mainstream America.

established in part because of denied access to

Lessons learned in the classroom go far beyond the

traditionally White institutions primarily because of a

four walls of the institution; they are carried into the

thirst for higher education and social mobility of

real world. The process of intentional empathy takes

descendants of former slaves, have played a critical

place to include listening, whereby faculty allow

role in the evolution of American society.

themselves to be a little vulnerable as they help stu-

(HBCUs).

HBCUs

which

HBCUs have helped to prepare a leadership class that challenged many assumptions of this nation’s founders, fought to preserve the nation’s sovereignty when attacked by internal and external enemies, and sacrificed to make America better for itself and other marginalized groups (Hopps, 2007; Williams & Ashley, 2004). Moreover, while these institutions have

certainly made their footprint on America, some still question their relevancy. That said, the existential benefits of young adults attending an HBCU is documented below. The experience is unlike any other.

Many students that attend HBCUs are 1st generation college students, and the opportunity to network and

dents to navigate the process. The mentorship, both formal and informal, is cemented into their being. This is particularly important for these young adults who are counted among Generation X and Millennials, who are representative of a future generation that is finding it necessary to redefine the meaning of success and their place in a society in which racial inequalities are far from being a thing of the past. These benefits are illuminated in the everyday experiences at an HBCU, and in the documentary, “Tell them we are Rising” (Smith & Lomas, 2019). Below is a real time example of the HBCU experience that encompasses the importance of mentoring, feelings of belonging, and a place of acceptance.

connect with others that look like them is beyond measure. Students describe the experience as “I feel like I belong; I feel protected; the environment provides a safe place to be unapologetically black.”

Students that attend HBCUs usually have not had the

12

Special Centennial Bulletin

BLACK PANTHER FILM & YOUTH MENTORING VIDEO CAST VERSION

Dr. Kenya Jones Associate Professor

Dr. Llewellyn Cornelius, Director of the Center for Social Justice, Human and Civil Rights at the University of Georgia, hosted Dr. Kenya Jones and students, Ms. Shaniqua Burton and Mr. James Garrett, from the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University on the Center’s weekly podcast to discuss the resiliency imagery of the 2018 Black Panther Film as it relates to youth and family.

The discussion also focused on the impact of the main character Chadwick Boseman, an HBCU graduate, and on HBCU alums.

The discussion focused on the mentorship work of Dr. Kenya Jones. https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/1_e1fu43ht

13

COVID-19 & MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY The existence of African Americans in this country has long been marked by social inequity and governance couched in Anti-Blackness. African Americans are twenty percent more likely than other Americans to suffer from severe mental illness related to stress and anxiety (Kaiser Health News, 2020). Fewer than half of this number receive medical treatment as of 2018. Such negative indicators also exist in the realm of financial security where Black unemployment historically has ranged from double to triple that of Whites. In terms of asset wealth, the median net wealth of White households ($170,000) is over ten times that of Black households (Serwer, 2020).

These indicators of racial disparity can be traced back to disparate treatment of African Americans both by the public and private sector—for example, following the Civil War the Homestead Act (1862) was enacted availing public land owned by the US government to private individuals willing to work the land for at least ten years. Nearly 1.6 million individuals were successful in procuring this land from the US government by the time the program concluded in the early 1980s.

make up for 200 years.” (Inman, 2020) As a matter of survival African Americans have largely assumed roles in the secondary labor market, as service sector laborers receiving low wages and poor benefits. Nearly half of households headed by African American women are considered poor by government standards.

African American males trail other groups in nearly every indicator of quality of life, including premature morbidity, end of life chronic illness, violence, and education outcomes.

This is the context in which African Americans began the COVID 19 Pandemic; consequently, rates of COVID infection are two to five times greater in this population than Whites (Oppel R., et al., 2020). Black Americans with comorbidities and pre-existing mental illnesses are most vulnerable in the Pandemic to suicide, drug use, and severe financial hardship like homelessness and incarceration. African Americans experience disparate distress both in their mental health and financial well-being due to stigma related to mental health care, overcrowding in urban environments and bias and discrimination in employment, housing, and food availability. These determinants of mental health and finanOnly 4,000 of which were African cial wellbeing have been compounded Americans. Estimates suggest that by well-publicized incidents of police nearly 46 million White Americans are brutality like the murder of George descendants of Homestead recipients, Floyd and Breonna Taylor and disparate which is nearly a quarter of the White treatment by the Corrections System. population. In terms of wealth dispari- African Americans are also three times ty, nearly 20 cents on every dollar of as likely to be related to someone who White wealth is a result of intergenera- has died of COVID 19. The COVID 19 tional wealth transfers compared to Pandemic has thus taken a very personal Blacks. toll on African American lives that rePresident Obama was asked in an inter- quires direct remedy from the US govview, why his policies did little to rectify ernment and private sector. disparities like this during his term. President-elect Joe Biden when asked Obama responded. “At the end of the about these social inequities and the day, there is no way in eight years to impact of the Pandemic, responded,

Dr. Eyitayo Onifade, Associate Professor

“People are looking for results, not a revolution. They want to deal with the results they need right now,” the former vice president said. “And we can do that by making sure that we make everybody whole who has been so badly hurt…” (Rocha & Wagner, 2020). In that light the African American community finds itself in a precarious predicament where government interventions like Medicare for All or unconditional cash transfers are unlikely to be enacted in the near future; while stopgaps like a national mask mandate and the COVID 19 vaccination program are approved and made available to vulnerable groups in the US. References Act of May 20, 1862 (Homestead Act), Public Law 37-64, 05/20/1862; Record Group 11; General Records of the United States Government; National Archives.

Inman, D. (2020). Barack Obama talks record with Black community on ‘Breakfast Club’. https://thegrio.com/2020/11/25/barack-obama-black-community-breakfast-club/Kaisher Health News (2020). KHN Morning Briefing: Social Unrest Taking Toll on Black Americans’s Mental Health. (retrieved 12/15/2020). https://khn.org/morning-breakout/ social-unrest-taking-toll-on-black-americans-mental-health-experts-say/ Oppel R, Gebeloff R, Lai R, Wright W, Smith M. The Fullest Look Yet at the Racial Inequity of Coronavirus. The New York Times. July 5, 2020. Accessed October 6, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/05/us/coronavirus-latinos-african-americans -cdc-data.html Rocha, V. and Wagner, M. CNN (2020). Biden: "People are looking for results, not a revolution". https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/2020-democratic-debate-liveupdates/h_0afea0722aa83135db23010fda6bf31c Serwer, A., (2020). The new reconstruction. The Atlantic.

14

S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

NO TIME TO REST: A WORD TO SOCIAL WORKERS EVERYWHERE “Every man is our brother, and every man’s burden is our own.

Where poverty exists, all are poorer.

Where hate flourishes, all are corrupted.

Where injustice reins, all are unequal.”

- Whitney M. Young, Jr. Dr. Shonda Lawrence PhD Program Director

There is ‘no time to rest.’ We have heard loudly and

These words exemplify the message of the School’s

seen clearly the emotions of anger, disdain, pride, and

founders when Jesse O. Thomas attended the Social Work

strength across this country. This year has tested the

Convention in 1920 and gave a rousing speech as to why a

moral compass and responsibility of individuals,

School of Social Work was needed to train Black

communities, local and state governments and

Americans who at the time were living under the rule of

institutions, and our federal government. We divide

white supremacy. Thus, the School was established, and

not just along political party lines but through the

while a century has passed, we as a society continue to be

denigration of the process and meaning of democracy.

confronted with the ugliness of racism and the injustices

Targeted bold, blatant expressions of racism and

that it brings.

social, and political injustices continue to attach to a timeline that coincides to the very existence of African

What will we do? The Whitney M. Young Jr. School of

Americans in this country.

From the utterance of

Social Work will stand together arm in arm as one people

Fannie Lou Hammer being “sick and tired of being

for the righteous, the vulnerable, the sick, the tired and the

sick and tired” to chants of “Black Lives Matter” our

weary as we always have. We will not break or fall

beliefs, values, and constitution of ethical fortitude

asunder. We cannot leave the work undone. So even

have been challenged.

A call to stand for change,

when our backs bend from the heavy load and our knees

personal to our being as we survive in our black

buckles and heads bow from exhaustion, we will continue

bodies, has been issued.

to stand as our ancestors and those gone before us, in this

And so, the fight against

social and political injustice continues for our future,

time. There is ‘no time to rest.’

our children, our humanity, our lives, our democracy, and our freedom.

15

MEET OUR NEW FACULTY

Shena Leverett Brown, PhD LCSW MAC (BSW, CAU’ 93) returns to Clark Atlanta University as an Assistant Professor in the Whitney J. Young School of Social Work. Dr. Brown earned her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia School of Social Work in 2020, while also obtaining a graduate certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies from the Mary France Early College of Education. She received a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Dissertation Year Award and the 2019 Graduate School Dean’s Award for Social Sciences. Her research interests broadly include social work education and practice, race-based stressors, mental health and substance use disorders and recovery, and professional wellness factors among helping professionals. Her most recent researched used Critical Race Theory and Racial Battle Fatigue frameworks to better understand Black social workers’ experiences of racial macroaggression's in their practice settings. Dr. Brown has an extensive practice history which includes

Dr. Shena Leverett Brown, Assistant Professor

over 20 years of post-MSW behavioral health experience as a clinical social worker and an addiction counselor. She has worked in a variety of settings, across levels of care and age groups, and with populations that include women with young children, homeless veterans, and impaired professionals.

Previous practice settings include private non pro its, hospital-based programs, community-based programs,

faith-based organizations, private practice and managed care. Dr. Brown continues to provide clinical supervision and case consultation.

Dr. Brown enjoys equipping students with both historical and current knowledge-based context, providing active learning experiences and embracing diversity and inclusion in all forms. She believes critical thinking skills and critical consciousness are essential to the future of social work.

Dr. Nathaniel Currie, DSW, MSW, LCSW, joined the faculty at the School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University as an Assistant Professor Fall 2020.

Dr. Currie come to this position with

extensive clinical social work practice and teaching experience. He has more than 14 years of social work practice experience in behavioral health, HIV, and community empowerment. His research area focuses on trauma and traumatic experiences, resiliency, and healing in men. He lectures, trains, and writes regularly on the intersection of Critical Race Theory and social work practice, and trauma topics. He received his doctorate in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College in Boston MA. He holds a clinical licensure in the states of Georgia and California, and in Dr. Nathaniel Crurrie, Assistant Professor

the District of Columbia. He has served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Doctor of Social Work program at

Simmons College, and at Winthrop University in the MSW Program. A fierce advocate and trainer in social justice, Dr. Currie brings healing justice to all areas of his instructional and social work practice.

Adika C. Trimble, PhD, MSW, BA joined the faculty at Whitney M. Young, J r School of Social Work as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the 2021-22 academic year. Dr. Trimble received his PhD from Clark Atlanta University, Whitney M. Young, Jr School of Social Work in Summer 2020. His research focuses on formerly incarcerated African American men and compliance in the criminal justice system, investigating the role family support has on compliance. He is an experienced practitioner and administrator in Criminal Justice reform. He has more than 15 years of experience with the state of Georgia in dual roles as a human services professional responsible enforcing the law for probationers and parolees as well as being a change agent in connecting the same population with resources (i.e., education, vocation, housing, employment, mental health, substance abuse, etc.) which benefit the entire family.

Dr. Adika C. Trimble, Visiting Professor

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S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

Important Facts about Quarles 

The Quarles Washington Hall is the first building for the School of Social Work that existed at Atlanta |University from 1898-1995.



Quarles-Washington Hall was named after Pastor

Frank

Quarles

(Former

Pastor,

Friendship Baptist Church) and Forrester B. Washington (former director 1927-1954). 

One hundred firefighters battled flames to save the badly burned Quarles Washington Hall, a historic landmark that was later rebuilt.

March 15, 1995 Fire @ Quarles Washington Hall

QUARLES WASHINGTON HALL

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

FORRESTER B. WASHINGTON & A GATHERING OF STUDENTS

Lineages

Generations

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S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

PHYLLIS C. DURRAH, BA, MSW, LMSW

1ST GENERATION

Mrs. Phyllis C Durrah Bomar attended Howard University, in Washington, D. C., where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and continued her education at Atlanta University School of Social Work for a Masters of Social Work Degree (MSW), Class of 1943. After marrying her college sweetheart, Dr. W. Lamar Boman, Sr., they moved to Plainfield, N.J., her hometown, where he opened his medical practice and she was able to utilize her social work training. Along with raising four children, she actively worked and was involved in numerous community advocacy efforts. She demonstrated her commitment to the profession of social work by serving in leadership roles with various programs and initiatives, such as the Plainfield Neighborhood House Community Center, YMCA/YWCA Program Development, Parent Teacher Association Board and Muhlenberg Regional Hospital Women’s Auxilliary. Mrs. Phyllis C. Durrah Bomar received many honors and recognitions for her milestones in community organization. She spoke highly about her educational experiences and was proud to be an alumna of Atlanta University of Social Work.

DORIS C. DURRAH BOMAR, BA, MSW

2ND GENERATION

Mrs. Doris C. Durrah Osborne followed her sister, Phyllis C. Durrah Bomar, to Howard University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and then attended Atlanta University School of Social Work for her Masters of Social Work (MSW), graduating Class of 1949. She returned to her hometown of Plainfield, N.J. where she provided assistance with community outreach programs through her church and other civic organization. Her specialty area was Medical Social Work, which was primarily in hospital settings. She was employed at Metropolitan Hospital in New York City for many years, providing social work services to mostly an underserved population. Mrs. Doris C. Durrah Osborne was a well respected member of the clinical team and was known as a very caring and giving person to anyone she encountered. She had one son and served as the caregiver to her mother. She often shared memories of her student experiences during graduate school and how beneficial attending Atlanta University School of Social Work had been in preparing her for the chosen career path.

SHARON Y. BOMAR, BA, MSW

3RD GENERATION

Ms. Sharon Y. Bomar matriculated at Saint Augustine’s University, Raleigh, N.C., for her Bachelor or Arts Degree and then to Atlanta University School of Social Work (now Clark Atlanta University Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work), MSW Class of 1975. She was the recipient of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Fellowship to complete her graduate studies. After graduation she provided governmental case management services and taught high school level students at an alternative educational program. She ventured into the healthcare arena and acquired her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Certification. As a Medical Social Worker, she worked in various settings, such as, community healthcare, hospital, home health, and nephrology. Her role while serving as a Field Instructor for Atlanta University School of Social Work Masters Level Students was most memorable, rewarding, and a great opportunity to invest in preparing future social work career professionals. Ms. Bomar is a Pioneer member of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., and she has served on the National Executive Board, in addition to holding numerous other leadership positions both nationally and locally. She was in the Inaugural Class of NABSW’s African –Centered Social Work Academy.

“Thinking back and observing my mother, Mrs. Phyllis Durrah Bomar and my aunt, Mrs. Doris Durrah Obsorne’s beginnings. Both were so dedicated and committed to helping others just because there was a need really left an impression on me. I was so elated to have been accepted at AUSSW and am so Honored to be their Legacy!”, Ms. Sharon Y. Bomar, BA, MSW, LCSW is an Independent Consultant specializing in Executive Management and Program Development.

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1ST GENERATION

FREDERICK SMITH, MSW, PH.D. (CLASS OF 1962) ATLANTA UNIVERSITY Dr. Fredrick E. Smith was a native of Mound City, IL. After completing four years in the Army during the Korean War, he attended Historically Black University, Lincoln University in Missouri, where he received his Bachelor Degree in History in 1960. He was the youngest of 8 children and the first to graduate from college.

After graduating, he attended Atlanta University. He graduated with the mighty class of 1962. His field placement at Atlanta University was with the Baltimore Urban Renewal and Housing Agency as a Community Organization Advisor trainee. After graduation, he moved to St. Louis with his wife, Colonel Mary L. Smith (retired). The two met on the Atlanta University Campus while she was attending Grady Negro School of nursing. After graduation, they moved to St. Louis, where they resided until his transition in 2016. The two were married for over 54 years and had three children. Dr. Smith spent the rest of his career working in the community and educating. He worked in an integrated Settlement House in St. Louis, Director of Community Services for the Urban League in Minnesota, taught at Washington University George Warren Brown School of Social Work for 15 years, and retired from the St. Louis Public School system as a Social Work Administrator. He joined the National Association of Black Social Work in 1969. He was a Pioneer member of NABSW and the Longtime Chapter President.

Colonel Mary L. Smith, Dr. Frederick Smith and Melissa Smith Haley

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S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

2ND GENERATION

MELISSA SMITH HALEY, MSW, LMSW (CLASS OF 1996) ATLANTA UNIVERSITY

Melissa is the daughter of the late Dr. Fredrick E. Smith, NABSW Pioneer and Longtime President of the St. Louis Chapter. She is proud to carry on the legacy of activism for the past 25+ years on the national and local levels. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is Vice President of Programs & University New Orleans. From 2018-2020 she has served in many capacities and for several organizations such as the National Vice President and in 2020 appointed the Interim President (working closely with national committees to prepare strategic goals), Operations for Volunteers of America, SE Louisiana in New Orleans and an Adjunct Professor at Southern Produce Quarterly and Annual Reports and presides over the National Steering Committee Meetings. In 2021 she will continue working with the Executive Committee, Chapter Presidents, and Past National Presidents to cultivate unity and positive change.

Melissa Smith Haley is a graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans, where she majored in Mass Communication. In 1993 she volunteered at her father's direction at the National Association of Black Social Workers as a student. Her experience as a volunteer confirmed her decision to practice social work. After graduation, she followed in her father's footsteps and enrolled in the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University.

She is married to Attorney Okyeame Haley, Howard University Law Alumni. The Haley's met as undergraduate students at Xavier University. They have two daughters, Nia, a second-year Pharmacy Student at Hampton University, and Kai, a freshman at Howard University.

“Liberation is not a spectators sport."

As a graduate student at CAU in 1994, I had high expectations. My father loved the school and spoke highly of the experience contributing to his life's work. CAU was an opportunity for me to network with aspiring professionals with a strong desire to make a difference in their communities.

As a second-generation graduate of the school of social work, I was raised with the determination exhibited in the motto, "Find A Way or Make One." My father and I believe in strength-based practices rejecting all negative stereotypes about the black community. CAU instilled the passion and provided the foundation to ensure that our communities were well protected. As a strength-based practitioner, I believe that all people have something great to offer. I work to identify those strengths and provide spaces where we can make a difference in our community.

I learned through my father, CAU, and NABSW that liberation is not a spectator sport. It is our responsibility as alumni to invest in the institutions and communities that raised us. In the spirit of the Nugzo Saba (principles of Kwanzaa" ), our commitment to community organization must include the pathway set by our Ancestors cemented in Creativity, Cooperative Economics, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Purpose and Faith.

21

A LU M N I I N T H E S P OT L I G H T Alma J. Carten, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University, her Master of Social Work degree from the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work, and Doctorate in Social Welfare form Hunter College School of Social Work (CUNY). She recently retired from the New York University Silver School of Social Work, where her scholarship and research focused on racial inequities impacting families of color. Dr. Carten authored the book Find a Way or Make One, A Documentary History of Clark Atlanta University Whitney M. Young, Jr. Dr. Alma J. Carten ‘64

School of Social Work (1920-2020). Dr. Carten examines the evolution of the school

within the context of changes in the US Social Welfare Policy, CSWE Accrediting Standards, and NASW Code of Ethics.

See link below: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/find-a-way-or-make-one-9780197518465?cc=us&lang=en& A tenured professor in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Social Work, Brown has also served as associate provost in the Office of Academic Affairs and executive director of the SIUE East Saint Louis Center.

Brown joined SIUE in 1995 as an assistant professor and became full professor in 2006. She later served as department chair Dr. Venessa Brown ‘85, ‘94 from 2006-07. In this role, she contributed to the bachelor’s/master’s of social work program becoming fully accredited.

With all of her contributions to SIUE during her 25-year tenure, Brown’s legacy may be most strongly tied to the annual Diversity Day conference established in 2018. “Designed with community engagement and participation across all three of SIUE’s campuses in mind, Diversity Day showcases the multitude of ways in which membership in the global community is core to SIUE’s mission and values,” she said.

When social and civil unrest arose in nearby Ferguson, Mo Brown was motivated to host three Black Lives Matter conferences to enlighten the community and create understanding. Brown has always believed that SIUE could set the standard for diversity, equity and inclusion not only for metro St. Louis, but also for the region and nationally.

A Missouri native, Brown is internationally known for her commitment to public child welfare with her expertise in the area of child sexual abuse. She is the author of “Child Welfare Case Studies,” published by Allyn & Bacon and “A Promising Reality: Reflections on Race, Gender, and Culture in Cuba,” published by Peter Lang.

Dr. Charles E. Lewis, Jr. is the Director of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP). A professional social worker, Dr. Lewis received his M.S.W. degree in clinical counseling at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. He earned his Ph.D. in soCharles Lewis, Jr., MSW’, Ph.D. cial policy analysis at the Columbia University School of Social Work in 2002. During his time on the Hill, serving as deputy chief of staff and communications director for former Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns, he was instrumental in creating the Congressional Social Work Caucus with the idea it would be a platform that would allow social workers to have more of a voice in Congress. While on the Hill as the staff coordinator for the Social Work Caucus, Dr. Lewis organized briefings for the National Association of Social Work (NASW), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). On January 22, 2021, Dr. Chalres Lewis, Jr. was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (the “Academy”). For more information go to: https://www.crispinc.org/#

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S PECIAL C ENTENNIAL B ULLETIN

Directors And Deans Atlanta School of Social Work Directors

ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK DEANS Whitney M. Young, Jr. 1954-1960

Garrie Ward Moore

Frankie V. Adams, 1960 (Interim Dean)

1st Director of Atlanta School of Social Work

Florence Victoria Adams, 1961

Mr. Moore served as Director of the Atlanta School of Social Work and a Professor of Economics

and

Sociology

at

Morehouse

College. He left in 1922 to complete his social work studies at Columbia University.

E. Franklin Frazier

Williams S. Jackson, 1961-1968 Genevieve T. Hill, Dean 1968-1979

Clarence D. Coleman, 1979-1984 Creigs Beverly, 1984—1986

2nd Director of Atlanta School of Social Work

Dorcas Bowles, 1986-1987

Dr. Frazier guided the School from 1922-1927.

Mamie Darlington, 1987-1988 (Interim Dean)

He was committed to researching the problems of Negros, particularly the Negro family, which was evident in some of the early curriculum courses.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK DEANS Mamie Darlington, 1988-1989 (Interim Dean)

Forrester Franklin Blanchard Washington

3rd Director of Atlanta School of Social Work Mr. Washington served as Director of the

Lou Beasley, 1989-1994 Richard Lyle, 1994-1998; 2003-2004 and 2007-2008

Atlanta School of Social Work (1927-1947) and

Dorcas Bowles, 1998-2003

the Atlanta University School of Social Work

Rufus Sylvester Lynch, 2004-2007

(1947-1954). His previous work was also affiliated with the Urban League with the

Vimala Pillari, 2008-1015

Armstrong Associates of Philadelphia, PA.

Dorcas Bowles, 2015 (Interim Dean)

It was through his efforts that the SSW became

Jenny L. Jones, 2016

affiliated with professional organizations.

The Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work takes a moment to acknowledge and thank Dr. Richard Lyle for 39 years of service to the School of Social Work. Dr. Lyle served with distinction as Associate Professor and Director of the PhD Program for 33 years. He retired from the University on May 15, 2020.

Dr. Lyle began his career at Atlanta University (now known as Clark Atlanta University, [CAU]), Fall 1981 as a Specialization Coordinator in the School of Social Work MSW Program. He immediately moved to PhD faculty, and later becoming Director. During his tenure in the School, he served in numerous capacities: Director of the PhD Program and Interim Dean on three separate occasions, while continuing as PhD program Director. His most significant contribution as PhD program Director was his commitment and service to doctoral students.

Dr. Lyle received Emeritus Faculty status on May 19, 2021.

FACULTY & STAFF Dr. Jenny Jones

Dean’s Office Staff

Dean & Professor

John D. Young, M.Div.

Dr. Margaret S.E. Counts-Spriggs

Executive Assistant to the Dean

Associate Dean/Associate Professor

BSW Program Dr. Mustapha Alhassan, Director Dr. Mary Ashong, Assistant Professor Dr. Ivis King, Assistant Professor Dr. Clifford Trimble, Visiting Professor

Program Staff Ms. Joann Bassett, MSW Senior Staff Assistant Ms. Kimberly Kinchen, BSW/Ph.D. Senior Staff Assistant

Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard Lyle, 2021 Dr. Sandra Foster, 2016

MSW Program

Dr. Joann Rhone, 2008

Dr. Corrine Warrener, Director

Professor Naomi Ward, 2008

Dr. Shena Leverett Brown, Assistant Professor Dr. Nathaniel Currie, Assistant Professor Dr. Shadonna Davis, Assistant Professor Dr. Kenya Jones, Associate Professor Dr. Youseung Kim, Associate Professor Dr. Joi Showell, Associate Professor Dr. William Thomas, Lecturer

Ph.D. Program Dr. Shonda Lawrence, Director Dr. Eyitayo Onifade, Associate Professor Dr. Gerry White, Assistant Professor Dr. Cheryl D. Dozier (Adjunct)

Field Program Dr. Darrin Wright, Director

Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work (404) 880-6600

Ms. Cardia Swift, Field Coordinator/Lecturer Dr. Vicky Hale, Adjunct Professor Dr. Kimberlee Woods, Adjunct Professor

24

Centennial Donors We appreciate OUR Donations!

Delores P. Aldridge

Erin T. Hamer

Ernette F. Reid

Frederica H. Barrow

Lisa A. Hardaway

Jeanette E. Rogers

Gemma Beckley

Kimberly E. Harris

Walter G. Sampson

Stan L. Bowie

Bernadette Hartfield

Keith Sherrill

Doris R. Box

Angela N. Holcomb

Joi S. Showell

Uneeda O. Brewer

Marjorie A. Holloway

Sandra T. Shular

Kasey L. Brown

Etoile S. Holmes

Ade T. Soudan

Karen T. Bullock

Kenneth D. Howard

Cynthia H. Spann

Veverly Y. Byrd-Davis

Helen Hundley

Sandra T. Shular

Alma J. Carten

Sabreen D. Hill

Brenda C. Smith

Diamond S. Cash

Etoile S. Holmes

Ade T. Soudan

Janet M. Clayton

Helen Hundley Estate

Juliett V. Stovall

Oscar F. Copeland

Delma S. Jackson

Jennifer A. Talley

Sonya Cruel

Dean Jenny Jones

Claudia E. Taylor

Veverly Y. Byrd-Davis

Cecelia B. Johnson

Kelley Tucker

Valerie W. Dennis

Waldo E. Johnson

Felicia J. Tuggle

Freidia J. Dinkins

Robin D. Kamara

Aurelia O. Tutt

Harry J. Doughty

Shonda K. Lawrence

Ayanna Welsh

Ingrid B. Dove

Jacqueline L. Lewis

Garrick White

Sparkle Escott

Tonya J. Malone

Ingrid Wilkerson

Cheryl Flowers

Denise McLane-Davison

Betty J. Williams

Michael O. Francis

James W. Moorer

Mercedez P. Williams

Betty J. Garrett

Alison P. Morgan

Bobbie T. Wing

Derrick W. Gervin

Felisha L. Norrington

Cleta M. Winslow

Robin H. Goodwyn

Lonnie J. Oliver

Tara V. Wooldridge

Ruby M. Gourdine

OneHope

Dorothy B. Ziemer

Randy S. Gunter

Lois G. Patterson

Aaron J. Gray

Roberta K. Potsic

Melissa Haley

Kasey L. Phillips Brown

We here at CAU’s School of Social Work are grateful for our alumni and friends who made contributions. Your donations generate prospects for our distinguished and diligent students and faculty which otherwise would not be possible. Names are listed as they were entered at the time of the gift.

Questions or amendments can be directed to John D. Young (EA in the SSW Dean’s Office) at jyoung3@cau.edu

Gifts of $50K+ As of November 15, 2021

Send Your Donations: Institutional Advancement Department

223 James P. Brawley Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA 3014 Mr. Sam Burston, VP & Chief Operation Officer (404) 880-6316 E-mail: sburston@cau.edu

OUR HISTORIC TIMELINE 1920

The School of Social Work was Established.

1925

The Atlanta School of Social Work files Charter with Fulton C. County Court.

1931

“Frankie” V. Adams joined the School of Social Work Faculty.

Community Organization Sequence added to the curriculum.

Affiliated with Atlanta University but maintained independent status.

1947

The Atlanta School of Social Work gave up its independent status to be known henceforth as The Atlanta University School of Social Work.

Community Organization/Group Work added to the curriculum.

1954

Accredited by Council on Social Work Education; Whitney M. Young, Jr. assumes leadership of the School.

1963

March on Washington; Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech;” Atlanta becomes epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement.

1961

Whitney M. Young, Jr. steps down. Frankie V. Adams becomes Acting Dean.

1971

North Georgia NASW Chapter establishes the Frankie V. Adams Award.

1974

CSWE Minority Fellowship Program established by Carl A. Scott.

Special Centennial Bulletin

1978

Edith Ross publishes Black Heritage in Social Warfare.

1978

NASW approved resolution for licensing to practice in each state. American State of Social Work Boards is founded.

1988

Atlanta University School of Social Work renamed Clark Atlanta School of Social Work after the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University.

1995

Quarles Washington Hall, School of Social Work building was destroyed by fire.

1996

Clark Atlanta School of Social Work partnered with the Atlanta Housing Authority and established the Live & Learn Public Housing Incentive.

2000

Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work renamed

Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work.

2020

Centennial of the School of Social Work observed.

OUR HISTORIC TIMELINE

Clark Atlanta University Whitney M. Young. Jr. School of Social Work Office of the Dean 223 James P. Brawley Drive, SW Atlanta, Georgia 30314