Global Champions

We work to change the lives of those who need it most

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The Mission Statement

The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. (NABSW) comprised of people of African ancestry, is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research.

Our mission is to work to create a world in which people of African ancestry will live free from racial domination, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression. In collaboration with national, international, and other appropriate groups, NABSW will continue to leverage its collective expertise to strategically develop the capacity of people of African ancestry to sustain and flourish.

Code Of Ethics

In America today, no Black person, except the selfish or irrational, can claim neutrality in the quest for Black liberation nor fail to consider the implications of the events taking place in our society. Given the necessity for committing ourselves to the struggle for freedom, we as Black Americans practicing in the field of social welfare set forth this statement of ideals and guiding principles. If a sense of community awareness is a precondition to humanitarian acts, then we as Black social workers must use our knowledge of the Black community, our commitments to its self-determination, and our helping skills for the benefit of Black people as we marshal our expertise to improve the quality of life of Black people.

Our activities will be guided by our Black consciousness, our determination to protect the security of the Black community, and to serve as advocates to relieve the suffering of Black people by any means necessary. Therefore, as Black social workers we commit ourselves, collectively, to the interests of our Black brethren and as individuals subscribe to the following statements:

History

NABSW was created during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement on May 29, 1968 in San Francisco, California by a group of Black Social Workers who were convened for the National Conference on Social Welfare, the largest professional social work organization at the time. This group of Black Social Workers disengaged from that meeting to form what has ultimately become the foremost advocacy group established to address social issues and concerns of the Black community. Those Black Social Workers ultimately became the founders of the National Association of Black Social Workers.
Before May 29, 1968, several social work related advocacy groups comprised of people of African ancestry had been addressing issues of racism and poverty in America. Their common goal was Black liberation, racial equity and self-determination and improved social work practice and service delivery. They recognized the need for educational institutions to revamp curricula to more effectively educate and inform ethical and culturally competent practice.

Honoring Chicago ABSW Founders

Karim Child

Barbara Bacon

Dr. Howard Brabson

Jerome Stephenson

Gerald Stephensonh

Dr. Audrey Johnson

Ben Finely