The Impact and Influence of HBCUs on the Social Work Profession

ABSTRACT

Faculties at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) have demonstrated stellar contributions to social work, which include early thought and epistemology related to strengths, empowerment, and social justice perspectives; religious orientation; inclusive learning environment, and community-based research. W. E. B. DuBois was the most influential among these HBCU scholars; however, the DuBoisian tradition of scholar as activist must include works of Frazier, Haynes, Young, and others, who fueled discourse on contemporary social problems despite prejudice, discrimination, and Jim Crow. HBCUs provided direction for services to the new Black urban class when the profession was not prepared to do so. They led the profession to use new theoretical ideas, perspectives, and service modes for a new clientele.

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Notes on contributors

Dorcas D. Bowles

Dorcas D. Bowles is interim dean of the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. June Gary Hopps is the Thomas “Jim” Parham Professor at the School of Social Work at University of Georgia and dean and professor emerita at Boston College School of Social Work. Obie Clayton is the Edmond Asa Ware Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Clark Atlanta University.

June Gary Hopps

Dorcas D. Bowles is interim dean of the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. June Gary Hopps is the Thomas “Jim” Parham Professor at the School of Social Work at University of Georgia and dean and professor emerita at Boston College School of Social Work. Obie Clayton is the Edmond Asa Ware Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Clark Atlanta University.

Obie Clayton

Dorcas D. Bowles is interim dean of the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. June Gary Hopps is the Thomas “Jim” Parham Professor at the School of Social Work at University of Georgia and dean and professor emerita at Boston College School of Social Work. Obie Clayton is the Edmond Asa Ware Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Clark Atlanta University.