Navigating Change: Conversations with Black Women on Race and Power

BUSSW First Thursdays –– Conversations on Race Speaker Series [Open to BUSSW students, staff, faculty and alumni] In celebration of Black History Month, join the BUSSW Online Program and Equity & Inclusion Committee for a panel discussion highlighting the voices and experiences of social workers who are shaping the future of education, leadership, activism, and politics. Featuring esteemed members of the Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers (GBABSW) and BUSSW alumni, this event honors the legacy of Black women as changemakers and trailblazers in the fight for equity and justice. Our panelists, who represent diverse roles as educators, leaders, activists, and students, will share their personal and professional journeys while exploring the ongoing challenges of navigating race and power in society. They will discuss the critical role of social work in advancing racial and social justice, offering insights and inspiration for attendees to carry forward. This Black History Month event is a tribute to the past, a reflection on the present, and a commitment to creating transformative change. Featured Panelists: Malaka Mims, MSW, LICSW (moderator) – GBABSW President and BUSSW Lecturer Kathy Lopes, MSW, LICSW – National Association of Black Social Workers Vice-President Ayesha Wilson, MSW (Wheelock'13) – Cambridge City Counselor and Executive Director at Emerge Massachusetts Gillian Van Delft, M.Ed., LICSW (SSW’14) – Social Worker, Committee for Public Counsel Services for Massachusetts Charmaine Burrell, BSW - GBABSW 2nd Vice-President