GSU’s Social Work Student Organization and Community Practice Learning Lab will be hosting “Celebrating the History of Black Social Work” on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 6-8:30 p.m. The virtual event’s purpose is to celebrate black history from the perspective of social work. 

 “Celebrating the History of Black Social Work” will be broken down into various segments. Topics to be covered in the event include the purpose of the National Association of Black Social Workers, significant (and often overlooked) efforts of black social workers throughout history, and the contributions of black professors within GSU’s Social Work Department. 

 Several esteemed panelists will contribute to the event. In-department panelists include Dr. Gerri Outlaw, Dr. Phyllis West, and Dr. Giesela Grumbach. Out-of-department speakers are Dr. Denise Davison of Morgan State University and licensed clinical social worker Khalid B. Scott.  

 Masters of Social Work (MSW) students Sherlicia Grizzard and Peter Brassea have taken the lead on this project. Grizzard, who is a graduate assistant at the Community Practice Learning Lab, says that the event is a “unique opportunity to learn about Black trailblazers in the field of social work; to be inspired by the work that Black social workers have done . . . and to be encouraged by our current leaders in the field.” 

Brassea, who serves as the MSW president of the Social Work Student Organization, touched on the importance of Black History Month itself. He said that “in all fields . . . it is important for students of all ages to learn in depth about the history of the trailblazers that came before us.” Educating oneself on the history, he says, helps an individual to address “structural and systematic racism, oppression, and many other significant racial inequalities” that people still face today.  

The Social Work Student Organization and Community Practice Learning Lab have undertaken an important responsibility by tackling a fresh and relatively-untouched topic in regards to black history. “Extensively learning about black history helps in the fight to end racism,” said Brassea. Tune in to learn something new, and walk away with a new perspective. 

The event can be accessed online through the Learning Lab’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/GSU-Community-Practice-Learning-Lab-107965167752942