Black Leadership in Social Work Practice
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Black Leadership Initiative (BLI)
Black Leadership Initiative (BLI)
The Black Leadership Initiative (BLI) takes an听African-centered听approach to social work practice. Emphasis is placed on community, collective action,听health, and well-being in socio-cultural contexts. BLI students are prepared to apply strength-based, anti-oppressive, anti-racist practices to working effectively with individuals, families, and communities.
BLI Team:
Karen Bullock, chair
Samuel Bradley, co-founder
Lujuana Milton
Whitney Irie
Robert Motley
William Byansi
Ed-Dee Williams
Overview
The Black Leadership Initiative was designed to support, develop, and prepare MSW-level practitioners to address issues facing the Black community. This robust program continues BCSSW's legacy of innovation by providing professional development through a specialized curriculum focused on African-centered approaches to social work practice, which intersect cultural experiences and values rooted in and guided by African-centered pedagogy. We are proud to now have 30 fellows in the BLI. Representing听four听years of strong enrollment, our students hail from as far away as Sierra Leone to as close to home as听Boston, Brockton, and Dorchester, Massachusetts.
At a Glance
600+
Total number of agencies/partnerships.
Work directly with the community.听
10
Total number of events held annually (6 virtual and 4 in-person).听
Connect with other BLI fellows.听
3
Number of courses that fall under the BLI umbrella.
Explore your classroom options.
27
Current number of BLI alums working in the community.
You're in great company.听
Academic Programs
Black Leadership Initiative
This is a cohort-based program emphasizing听community, collective action, health, and well-being in socio-cultural contexts.听Space in the program is limited to 20 student fellows each year, allowing students to take many classes within their cohort.听The BLI curriculum applies African-Centered principles and practices to teaching and learning; Designed to support, develop, and prepare MSW-level practitioners to address issues facing individuals, families, and communities of the African diaspora.听
Field of Practice
The Black Leadership in Social Work field of practice takes an African-Centered approach to engaging individuals, families, and communities. We equip MSW students with the tools to critically evaluate, intervene, advocate, support, and lead with an听African-centered听approach to practice.听
Black Leadership Certificate
BCSSW students can earn a certificate in Black Leadership by taking three specific courses鈥斺�淩e-thinking Diversity,鈥� 鈥淎frocentric Organizations,鈥� and 鈥淗istory of Activism in Black Communities.鈥� In these courses students will learn about anti-Black racism, racial trauma, systemic barriers, and the historical significance of activism and advocacy among Black people and how that has shaped modern-day activism.
A Cohort Approach to BLI
Students in the BLI experience sequential immersive learning ideally suited for understanding the history and culture of the African diaspora in order to prepare them to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities. The concept of shared humanity lies at the heart of the curriculum and is based on an African philosophy rooted in collectivism.
Latest News
Annual Student Retreat
The BLI Retreat is an annual event open to current BLI fellows. The retreat occurs over a period of 24 hours in a retreat facility off campus. The purpose of the retreat is to gather with one another to build stronger bonds within the BLI cohort.
During the retreat, fellows are able to engage with BCSSW staff, faculty, and alumni while participating in organized activities meant for getting to know each other, reflecting, and identifying future goals.听听
Hear from BLI Students
Ashley Scott
Full-time MSW Program/Clinical
Afrocentric Social Work
Ashley Scott
Full-time MSW Program/Clinical
Afrocentric Social Work
"Having the opportunity to be a part of the Black Leadership Initiative at 集美麻豆has been one of the most healing experiences I have had throughout my educational journey. For so long, I have tried to find a community that accepts me for who I am, and that uplifts me with the foundation of peace, joy, and harmony. The best thing about being in the BLI is the ability to have a community where we share so many of the same struggles, yet where we are all so different."
Gabrielle Nash
Full-time MSW Program/ Clinical
Afrocentric Social Work
Gabrielle Nash
Full-time MSW Program/ Clinical
Afrocentric Social Work
"I chose to study at BCSSW because of the Black Leadership Initiative and Leaders for Equity and Justice in the Workplace certificate. There was no other school of social work that offered these unique opportunities, and being able to learn through an Afrocentric Social Work perspective was really valuable to me."
Kaila Atkins
Full-time MSW Program/Clinical
Afrocentric Social Work
Kaila Atkins
Full-time MSW Program/Clinical
Afrocentric Social Work
"I chose BCSSW for the Afrocentric Social Work field of practice and to be a member of the Black Leadership Initiative. Being a part of the inaugural BLI cohort has been a tremendous honor, and I could not imagine my MSW experience without the love and support of this beautiful community."
Why Boston College?
100%
100% of BCSSW students receive some form of scholarship.听
100%
Employment rate within one year of graduation (Class of 2022).听
48%
BCSSW has 48% faculty diversity with 32 full-time faculty members.听
6
Average length of a job search for a graduate is 6 weeks (Class of 2021).
“This isn鈥檛 diversity, equity, and inclusion for the sake of lip service. This is diversity, equity, and inclusion for the sake of leadership.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Students express their interest on their application.听 We encourage applicants to demonstrate in their personal statement their current or past investment and experience in working with Black communities/African diaspora. They can speak from previous or current professional experiences, including their life experiences.听
The Afrocentric Social Work field of practice centers on the African Diaspora and Black experiences, inclusive of continental Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Central America, and the United States. Students will learn how to implement and apply Afrocentric perspectives such as Ma鈥檃t and Nguzo Saba principles in working with Black clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The Afrocentric perspective is an ontological and epistemological orientation that places African people as participants and agents shaping their life chances and experiences.听
The Afrocentric social work field of practice is open to all students whether they are part of the BLI.听 BLI fellows are strongly encouraged to but not required to be in the Afrocentric social work field of practice.