NASW-CA Honors Black History Month

NASW-CA honors February as Black History Month as a time to elevate Black voices and accomplishments. We are committed to consistently honoring, uplifting, and celebrating the acknowledgments of Black history and the Black community in social work, and we recognize the invaluable contributions of Black social workers and their impact on society. While we are dedicated to highlighting these achievements during Black History Month and throughout the year by actively promoting and amplifying the voices and experiences of Black social workers, we will continue to foster a more inclusive and equitable social work profession. By honoring the legacy of Black History Month and the Black communities’ contributions to the social work profession, we reflect on their life-long dedication to advocating for the safety and well-being of the Black community and for racial equity. Throughout February and beyond, we invite you to join us in commemorating and celebrating Black History Month. 

There are countless ways you can honor this month, and year-round, from the comfort of your home or in-person. Some ways that our chapter is celebrating Black History Month includes: 

• Providing tools for social workers to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the field of social work by actively supporting and participating in efforts to increase representation and create inclusive spaces for black social workers. 
  • Here is how you can join us 
    • Attend the Self-Care & Yoga Event 
      • February 17 
      • February 24 
    • Attend Do No Harm – Trauma Informed, Anti-Oppressive Practices in Social Work (5 CEUs) on March 8, 15, 22
• Actively seek out and share the stories, experiences, and achievements of black social workers through various platforms, including social media, conferences, and professional networks. By amplifying their voices, we can help bring attention to their important work and inspire others. 
  • Here’s how you can join us 
    • Highlighting our Black Social Work Trailblazers 
    • Learn and honor Black leaders throughout history 
    • Share the stories, experiences, and achievements of Black social workers through various platforms 
    • Engage in conversations that deepen your understanding of the unique challenges faced by the Black community 
• Actively seek opportunities to support and collaborate with black-led organizations in the field of social work. This can include volunteering, donating, or partnering on projects that aim to address the unique challenges faced by the black community. 
  • Here’s how you can join us 
    • Support Black-owned businesses 
    • Collaborate with Black-led social work organizations through volunteer, donations, or partnerships 
• Commit to ongoing education and learning about the history, experiences, and contributions of black social workers. This includes reading books, attending workshops, and engaging in conversations that deepen my understanding of the issues faced by the black community and how we can work together to create positive change. 
  • Here’s how you can join us 
    • Deepen your knowledge on Black history and how colonialism has disproportionately impacted Black communities to this day 
    • Attend educational or celebratory Black History Month events  
    • Stay aware of policies that affect marginalized communities and calling your representatives to advance social justice  
    • Visit museums that center Black history and culture  
    • Maintain your antiracist practice after February 

As we celebrate various ways to uplift Black life and Black History Month, we also remain committed to advancing social justice and equity in our practice and communities. We also call upon our social work community to continue fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracist practices and policies in their diverse roles and career paths. Additionally, we encourage non-Black individuals to take this time to recognize, acknowledge, and understand their power and privileges. While recognizing privilege can be uncomfortable, it is an essential step to addressing systematic racial inequities in our society. With our profession’s commitment to lifelong learning and social work values, we encourage non-Black folks to reflect on their lifelong journey of unlearning, relearning, and engaging in antiracist practice. 

NASW-CA Endorses the Work of the California Reparations Task Force 

In June 2023, the Task Force published a Final Report that evaluates and articulates the historical and ongoing harms experienced by African Americans as a result of slavery in American society. The report sheds light on centuries of enslavement, torture, oppression, and denigration of African Americans and the many ways in which government and institutional systems have perpetuated racism through their policies and practices. Additionally, the Task Force includes a thorough set of recommendations for state policies that California state leaders can pursue and implement to remedy the grave harms that continue to burden Black Americans. NASW-CA calls on social workers, social work leaders, and all other health and human service providers to invest the thought, energy, and action that is necessary to achieve true justice for all by reviewing these recommendations and taking the steps necessary to integrate them into their work and the organizations they lead.  

Nominate a Black Social Worker to the California Social Work Hall of Distinction 

As a social work profession, we are committed to enhancing social justice in all settings. While our combined contributions continue to break barriers and promote racial equity, this work is ongoing and is a lifelong journey. We recognize the social work profession cannot maximize its efforts in advancing equity and justice without centering marginalized and underrepresented voices and experiences. To support and uplift equitable representation, we encourage folks to nominate Black social workers to the California Social Work Hall of Distinction. 

The California Social Work Hall of Distinction is a committee of the California Social Welfare Archives. Every year, the committee recognizes outstanding social workers who have contributed to the advancement of the social work profession and/or social work practice in California and bettered the lives of Californians.  

Get Involved Through NASW-CA Committees 

We invite members who identify as Black to consider applying to a NASW-CA Committee! Through committee work alongside Chapter staff and Board Members, you can provide input and thought leadership on a variety of Chapter initiatives and priorities. NASW-CA is committed to engaging more BIPOC social workers who will lead the California Chapter with us. We value a diverse and equitable representation within our Chapter leadership, and we are excited to collaborate with you.  

Applications to be appointed to one of our Chapter Committee are usually made in the summer and fall, although vacancies occur year-round.  Appointments are made for two years starting in July of each year.  

Upcoming Events 

• NASW-CA Healing Meditation & Yoga for Black Social Workers 
  In honor of Black History Month, we are offering a healing space for social workers who identify as African Diaspora/communities, of African descent or Black/African American only. Marcia T. Leftwich will guide us through an hour and a half of nourishing meditation and yoga practice on February 17 and February 24. 
  • February 17 
  • February 24 
• City of Pasadena Black History Month Celebrations and Activities
• LA County Library Event Calendar
• The Academy Museum Black History Mini Documentaries
• Pan African Film & Arts Festival | February 6 – 19
• Monrovia Public Library Black History Month Celebration | February 17
• Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center Charity Black History Month Festival | February 18
• Peer Resource Center Veteran Black History Celebration | February 22
• Aquarium of the Pacific African American Festival | February 24
• Fontana City Black History Parade & Expo | February 24
• NASW-CA Do No Harm – Trauma Informed, Anti-Oppressive Practices in Social Work (5 CEUs) | March 8, March 15, March 22 
  This class is 3-part course that will take place on March 8, March 15, and March 22.  Attendance to all three days is required to receive 5 CEUs. This 3 part workshop series will explore the implications of racism, anti-LGBTQ+ practices and white supremacy within the social work profession. 

Black History Month is a valuable resource to learn history, view exhibits and collections, watch videos, and more. This web portal is a collaborative project of The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  

Want to share resources and events? Get in touch with us at naswnews@naswca.org to uplift Black voices, build social work capacity, celebrate Black history, and more. 

Black Social Worker Spotlight Series 

Learn about influential Black social workers that have made significant contributions to our profession and Black communities. Their tireless combined efforts have helped change the course of U.S. History to become a more equitable society.  

• Explore 2021’s Black Social Worker Spotlight Series, Part 1 & Part 2.    
• Explore 2022’s Black Social Worker Spotlight. 
• Explore 2023’s Black Social Worker Spotlight. 

Explore Black History, Art, and Creative Works 

We have compiled a list of creative works for folks to explore below. NASW-CA is proud to provide tools for social workers to advocate for diversity and inclusion within our profession. While this list is not exhaustive, we encourage you to actively support and participate in increasing representation and inclusive spaces for Black social workers. By amplifying their voices, we can help bring attention to their important work, inspire others, and fuel our efforts to create positive change. 

Black History Month Reading List 

These following books are centered on Black voices and the various ways Black individuals, along with other intersectional identities, navigate the world. Please note that some of these books shift the focus from a trauma-based lens. While it is crucial to continually learn the deep roots of oppression and violence, we do not want to only recommend novels with this narrative. There is so much more to being Black than trauma and pain. All of these books are written by Black authors.  

Black History Month Movie Recommendations   

We have compiled a list of films that explore social criticism or portray Black life. Additionally, some of these movies do not solely focus on Black trauma and struggle. All of these films, except King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis (1970) and Glory (1989), are by Black directors.  

Black History Month Podcast Suggestions 

These podcasts take a deep dive into self-love, Black culture, social critiques, and underrepresented Black history. All of these podcasts are hosted by Black individuals.  

Explore our past resources:

Black History & Art Guide 

• 2021 Black History & Art Guide
• 2022 Black History & Art Guide
• 2023 Black History & Art Guide

Black Social Worker Spotlight 

• 2021 Black Social Worker Spotlight Part 1
• 2021 Black Social Worker Spotlight Part 2
• 2022 Black Social Worker Spotlight
• 2023 Black Social Worker Spotlight