Russell A. Baptist

Russell A. Baptist, LCSW, is president and founder of The A. and S. Consulting Services, a private practice specializing in psychotherapy, racial justice evaluations, leadership coaching, and technical assistance. He is a former senior director of programs at the Center for Urban Community Services, where he helped to pioneer working with special needs populations in supportive housing. He supervised and developed social workers, psychiatrist, and mental health para-professional staff in the implementation of evidence-based practices. Through the sponsorship of the Robin Hood Foundation, he managed the creation of an anti-poverty program for the Harlem/Washington Heights communities called Single Stop, USA. He was also the founding director of the George Brager Scholarship Program, named after a former dean of the School of Social Work, for college-bound students who live in supportive housing.

Additionally, Mr. Baptist developed budgets, reported and wrote grants, and trained social service staff throughout New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., with a focus on working with People of Color, LGBTQ diversity, culture and ethnicity, social work supervision, mental health, homelessness, and supportive housing. Mr. Baptist managed contracts with federal entities such as SAMSHA, HUD, and the Veterans Administration as well as the New York City and State departments of mental health (DOHMH & OMH) and homeless services (DHS & HRA). He provided psychotherapy for youth in foster care. He lectured at Stony Brook University in New York City.

Mr. Baptist has served as a consultant and appeared on several local radio programs and television shows. He served on the board of directors of Gay Men of African Descent  and Retired Citizens (ARC) XII and was board chair of Unity Fellowship Church NYC. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Mr. Baptist’s educational background includes earning a BA degree from Texas College in Tyler, Texas, and an MS degree in Social Work Practice from Columbia University. He is a John F. Kennedy Jr. Fellow/Mentor and has furthered his education at Yeshiva University, the University of Washington, DC, and Long Island University. His notable published work is Adam and Steve: The Rules for Men Attracted to Other Men (2015, rev. 2016)