NYU Launches the Latinx in Social Work Discussion Series

The New York University Silver School of Social Work has partnered with alumna and Sandoval CoLab founder Erica Sandoval to launch the “Latinx in Social Work Discussion Series,” virtual panels featuring authors from Latinx in Social Work exploring themes from the book.

An initiative from workplace wellness and equity consulting firm Sandoval CoLab, Latinx in Social Work is an anthology of personal essays written by 22 Latinx social workers that calls awareness to the racism, bias, and discrimination experienced by social workers. Published by Fig Factor Media, the book is a revolutionary step in creating a movement that is committed to owning Latinx narratives, naming common but unspoken struggles, and driving practitioners’ own healing. The book has been introduced in schools of social work curricula—including the NYU Silver School of Social Work—as a mirror to reflect the experiences of Latinx students and a tool to help students of other backgrounds understand the need for cultural humility in their practice. Latinx in Social Work will soon be followed by a Spanish translation and a second volume.

The discussion series began January 27 with “Holding the Weight of Whiteness,” where panelists reflected on their experiences as ethnic and racial minorities in the field of social work, the burdens they carried as students of color in predominantly white institutions, and how aspiring social workers of color can take back their narratives to assist and strengthen their communities.

The second topic will be “Accountability to Black and Afro-Latinx Communities,” which is scheduled from 10 to 11 AM on February 24. This topic will explore intersectionality in panelists’ communities, the effects of anti-Black racism in their lives, and the role they play in changing the course for future generations. Register here.

The series concludes with “Una Conversación con Las Madrinas,” scheduled from 6 to 7 PM on March 24. Las madrinas, or godmothers in English, will host a panel discussion about their experiences as underrepresented professional women of color in their field, life as immigrants or children of immigrants, and what drew them to social work. They will also cover the importance of mentorship for underrepresented groups and how their mentors shaped and inspired their work. Register here.

— Source: Sandoval CoLab