Implementing Afrocentric Perspective in Social Work Programming, Curricula, and Research

Overview: This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the Afrocentric perspective in social work by discussing ways of implementing Afrocentric principles and practice (clinical and macro) in student programming, supervision in field placement, social work curricula, and research.Proposal text: Social work values and ethical framework centers on social justice, dignity, and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, service, and competence. Yet, these core tenets are not easily fulfilled and continue to present social work education and field placement challenges. Social work is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in the United States (U.S.). From 2018 to 2028, there is an expected 11% job growth for social workers in the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor, 2019). However, social workers lack racial and gender diversity. Whereas these numbers have slowly decreased over time, a 2019 report showed that 81.9% of social workers employed in the U.S. are women and 69.6% are white, followed by 23% Black or African American, 14% Hispanic or Latinx American, and 3.7% Asian American (Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor, 2020).

The field of social work must consider increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the workforce to serve clients and communities better. There are pervasive, ethnic, and racial disparities in mental health service utilization and status. Institutionalized racism exists within the broader society and impacts mandated reporters when they suspect abuse and neglect. The epistemic injustice on understanding Black families first called upon by the Moynihan Report (1965) still lingers in the ontology of Black well-being and family functioning within social services. The health care system needs new emphasis on ensuring access to high-quality care for all, strengthening preventive approaches by addressing clients' social needs as part of the health care workforce to more closely reflect the demographic composition of the Black client population (Williams & Cooper, 2019).

Thus, social work must consider increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the workforce to serve clients and communities better. It is critical to understand better the ethnic, racial, cultural, and contextual differences in behavioral, mental health status, and service utilization. One key element of this understanding is centering the lived experiences of Black communities by implementing Afrocentric social work training. The Afrocentric perspective is an ontological and epistemological orientation that places African people as participants and agents shaping their life chances and experiences (Schiele, 1996; Schiele, 2003). Afrocentric perspective comprised theory and practice based on recognizing African philosophy, beliefs, values, and rituals as the basis of a healthy life. It is also informed by the Black Perspective that focuses on the well-being and socio-cultural dynamics as a process to eliminate oppression and racism for Black people living in the United States. It acknowledges, appreciates, centers, and supports the behavioral process of the African diaspora while paying attention to African-oriented content issues.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will obtain an overview of Afrocentric social work practice.
2. Participants will assess the ways of implementing Afrocentric perspective in programming, curricula, and research
3. Participants will identify tangible examples of implementing Afrocentric social work practice in the context of social work education, field placement, research, and training.