February 1, 2022 at 9:11 a.m.

In Honor of Black History Month

Dear CSSW Community,

The national theme for Black History Month this year is “Black Health and Wellness,” highlighting the inequities in access to quality healthcare for Black communities. We cannot think of a more important theme as we enter the third year of a global epidemic that has further amplified the inequities in our country.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History states this year’s theme “acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora.” Any discussion of Black wellness must include delivery of mental and emotional healthcare – of which social workers are the number one provider.

This month, let us consider how we can better serve Black communities, work to combat ongoing disparities in access to care, and support and celebrate the many achievements and countless advancements that Black Americans and other people of African descent have made and continue to make across our society.

In community,

Melissa Begg

Dean & Professor

Karma Lowe

Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Community Engagement