Afrocentric approach to social work practice
Afrocentric approach to social work practice
The Black Leadership Initiative (BLI) is a unique program taking an Afrocentric approach to social work practice. Emphasis is placed on community, collective action, cultural context, and Ubuntu- the West African concept of shared consciousness and group cohesion.
The Black Leadership Initiative was designed to support, develop, and prepare MSW-level practitioners to address issues facing the Black community. This exciting program continues BCSSW's legacy in innovation by providing one-of-a-kind professional development through a curriculum that focuses on an Afrocentric approach to social work practice, which centers the cultural experiences and values that connect people of African descent. We are proud to now have 30 fellows in the BLI. Representing two years of strong enrollment, our students hail from as far away as Sierra Leone to as close to home as Brockton, and Dorchester, Massachusetts.
600+
Total number of agencies/partnerships.
Work directly with the community.
10
Total number of events held annually (6 virtual and 4 in-person).
Connect with other BLI fellows.
3
Number of courses that fall under the BLI umbrella.
Explore your classroom options.
27
Current number of BLI alums working in the community.
You're in great company.
This is a cohort-based program that helps students develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing Black communities in Boston and beyond. Space in the program is limited to 20 student fellows each year, allowing students to take many classes with their cohort. The BLI-specific courses center around Afrocentric social work practice and put the Black experience at the forefront of the curriculum.
This is one of six fields of practice offered at BCSSW. The Afrocentric Social Work field of practice centers on the African Diaspora and Black experiences, inclusive of continental Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Central America, and the United States. Students will learn how to implement and apply Afrocentric perspectives such as Ma’at and Nguzo Saba principles in working with Black clients on micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
BCSSW students can earn a certificate in Black Leadership by taking three specific courses—“Re-thinking Diversity,” “Afrocentric Organizations,” and “History of Activism in Black Communities.” In these courses students will learn about anti-Black racism, racial trauma, systemic barriers, and the historical significance of activism and advocacy among Black people and how that has shaped modern-day activism.
Students in the BLI center the history and culture of the African diaspora in order to address the needs of Black clients and communities. Ubuntu, an African philosophy based on the concept of shared humanity, lies at the heart of the curriculum.
The BLI Retreat is an annual event open to current BLI fellows. The retreat occurs over a period of 24 hours in a retreat facility off campus. The purpose of the retreat is to gather with one another to build stronger bonds within the BLI cohort.
During the retreat, fellows are able to engage with BCSSW staff, faculty, and alumni while participating in organized activities meant for getting to know each other, reflecting, and identifying future goals.
"Having the opportunity to be a part of the Black Leadership Initiative at BC has been one of the most healing experiences I have had throughout my educational journey. For so long, I have tried to find a community that accepts me for who I am, and that uplifts me with the foundation of peace, joy, and harmony. The best thing about being in the BLI is the ability to have a community where we share so many of the same struggles, yet where we are all so different."
"I chose to study at BCSSW because of the Black Leadership Initiative and Leaders for Equity and Justice in the Workplace certificate. There was no other school of social work that offered these unique opportunities, and being able to learn through an Afrocentric Social Work perspective was really valuable to me."
"I chose BCSSW for the Afrocentric Social Work field of practice and to be a member of the Black Leadership Initiative. Being a part of the inaugural BLI cohort has been a tremendous honor, and I could not imagine my MSW experience without the love and support of this beautiful community."
100%
100% of BCSSW students receive some form of scholarship.
100%
Employment rate within one year of graduation (Class of 2022).
48%
BCSSW has 48% faculty diversity with 32 full-time faculty members.
6
Average length of a job search for a graduate is 6 weeks (Class of 2021).
“This isn’t diversity, equity, and inclusion for the sake of lip service. This is diversity, equity, and inclusion for the sake of leadership.”
Students express their interest on their application. We encourage applicants to demonstrate in their personal statement their current or past investment and experience in working with Black communities/African diaspora. They can speak from previous or current professional experiences, including their life experiences.
The Afrocentric Social Work field of practice centers on the African Diaspora and Black experiences, inclusive of continental Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Central America, and the United States. Students will learn how to implement and apply Afrocentric perspectives such as Ma’at and Nguzo Saba principles in working with Black clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The Afrocentric perspective is an ontological and epistemological orientation that places African people as participants and agents shaping their life chances and experiences.
The Afrocentric social work field of practice is open to all students whether they are part of the BLI. BLI fellows are strongly encouraged to but not required to be in the Afrocentric social work field of practice.
Students accepted as BLI Fellows are required to take their foundation courses as a cohort (i.e, Basic Skills Clinical, Basic Skills Macro, Diversity courses).
All students, clinical and macro, are open to take elective courses that pique their interests. If students want to continue their education around Afrocentric practices they can take the History of Activism in Black communities and Afrocentric Organization courses to meet the requirement for the Black Leadership Certificate.
The BLI provides a smaller community within the larger BCSSW that is made up of individuals from unique backgrounds that all share a similar identity. You are able to build strong bonds with fellow cohort members as well as the faculty leaders over the course of the MSW program but especially during the first semester in the BLI specific courses. These courses center around Afrocentric social work practice and put the Black experience at the forefront of the curriculum.
The BLI courses and select programming are open to all students who have an affinity, knowledge, and respect for the history, culture, and knowledge of African-descendant people. An ideal student would have previous experience working with communities of color and will have demonstrated that they have volunteered or worked in the systems that are working to dismantle or disrupt racism.
The meetings take place one Monday evening per month from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Typically these meetings start with a check-in and any relevant announcements, and then we get into the main content. The meetings often include a guest speaker to talk about their area of expertise, such as running a private practice or how to segue from clinical to macro oriented work. In the beginning of the year, we talk as a cohort about the topics and issues we want to learn more about.
The commitment for BLI is very manageable. The only requirements outside of classes and practicum include the overnight retreat in September and the monthly meetings. There may be other opportunities to get together as a cohort but those are optional.
For a full-time student, a typical week normally consists of going to your internship Monday and Tuesday for eight hours a day and then having classes Wednesday-Friday. Three of your classes will be exclusively with your BLI cohort, while you choose the section for your fourth course.
This certificate program was designed to prepare master’s students to improve equality in the workplace for women, people of color, and other marginalized employees. Students will need to complete three courses to earn the certificate. Open to all BCSSW students.
Co-founded by Asst. Professor Samuel Bradley, Jr.
The Work Equity initiative aims to advance equity in the workplace by developing solutions to the root causes of racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination and biases built into the structure of jobs and employment systems.
Founded by Assistant Professor Robert O. Motley Jr.
This lab provides an interdisciplinary intellectual space in which faculty and students can critically examine the intersection of racism, violence, and trauma and its impact on the well-being of Black emerging adults 18 to 29 years of age.
Applications to the full-time and part-time MSW programs are now open.