Anti-Blackness in Schools of Social Work: A Black Feminist Polyethnography

ABSTRACT

Considering the significant contributions of Black women social workers to our profession, and the unyielding stressors and expectations disproportionately affecting Black women in the context of Black Lives Matter and COVID-19, addressing anti-Blackness and understanding the lived experiences of Black women within higher education are essential first steps toward eliminating racism, the 13th and most recently adopted Grand Challenge. Guided by Black feminist polyethnography, this study examined how anti-Blackness is collectively felt and experienced by six Black and mixed Black women faculty and graduate students in schools of social work over their academic careers. Initial steps schools of social work can take to acknowledge and address manifestations of anti-Blackness within existing policies, procedures, curriculum, and dominant school culture are discussed.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

¹ Grand Challenges for Social Work is a national initiative originated by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare that aims to use social work science to find solutions to address the most significant social problems.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelly Faye Jackson

Kelly Faye Jackson is an Associate Professor in School of Social Work at Arizona State University.

Ijeoma N. Ogbonnaya

Ijeoma N. Ogbonnaya is an Associate Professor in School of Social Work at Arizona State University.

Ann Turnlund-Carver

Ann Turnlund-Carver is a Doctoral Candidate in School of Social Work at Arizona State University.

Chandra Crudup

Chandra N. Crudup is Associate Dean for Inclusive Design for Equity and Access in Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, and Clinical Associate Professor in School of Social Work at Arizona State University.

Cynthia Mackey

Cynthia Mackey is a Doctoral Candidate in School of Social Work at Arizona State University.

Felicia Mitchell

Felicia Mitchell is an Associate Professor School of Social Work at Arizona State University.