history
During the 1960's Civil Rights Movement on May 8, 1968 in San Francisco, California, a group of Black Social Workers were convened for the National Conference on Social Welfare, the largest professional social work organization at the time. The group of Black Social Workers disengaged from that meeting to form what has ultimately became 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 with the Bay Area Association of Black Social Workers as its first chapter.
Before May 8, 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.
This coalition of human service practitioners of African ancestry brought together various disciplines, both degreed and non-degreed. Through the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., people of African ancestry had an opportunity to unify in combating racism and white supremacy in the social welfare system. This new organization immediately articulated demands for change within the existing welfare structure, and at the same time placed emphasis upon expanding and strengthening the NABSW network through local chapter development. The years 1968 and 1969 saw demands for change made upon traditional local and national Eurocentric focused human services and social welfare systems.
At its 1968 and 1969 national conferences, NABSW presented the National Conference on Social Welfare a position statement. This document became the first position statement of NABSW. In 1969, it was also presented to the Delegate Assembly of the National Association of Social Workers. As a result of the pressure felt by the united presence and influence of NABSW, both organizations, and the Council on Social Work Education made some changes that included, but were not limited to, increasing the number of people of African ancestry who served on committees and held various offices within these organizations.
Additionally, substantive efforts were also made by these organizations to address the existence of white supremacy and racism. NABSW, recognizing white racism as a white problem to be addressed by whites, advisedly redirected its energies to the accountability of social welfare systems in Black communities, and developing service delivery strategies that reflected the Black experience.
Since 1969, NABSW has sponsored annual National conferences that address issues of social work service delivery, education, research, and alternative ideas of improving communities in America for people of African ancestry. Beginning with the 1979 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, NABSW has provided the host chapter with an opportunity to address local inequities. This social action component has supported the efforts of local chapters and kept NABSW on the cutting edge of social issues and advocacy. Cenie "Jomo” Williams, Jr., the first National President, spearheaded much of the early activity. Brother Williams was appointed as the organization's first Executive Director (1974-1982). He began the organization of NABSW chapters in the United States, South America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
NABSW is designed to promote the welfare, survival, and liberation of the Black Community; and to advocate for social change at the national, state, and local level. NABSW is comprised of over 100 membership chapters, and over 30 university and college student chapters throughout the continental United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Additionally, affiliate groups are in both West and South Africa. Membership is available to persons of African ancestry who, regardless of profession, share similar concerns regarding health and welfare issues in the Black community.
NABSW hosts national and international annual conferences that are open to its membership and potential members. Convened in cities around the Unites States, our annual National Conference brings scholars, practitioners, and administrators together with conferees in a variety of social work settings to dialogue on social work issues in our communities. The International Education Conference provides a summer opportunity for travel to Africa and countries throughout the African Diaspora to experience African culture, heritage, and social institutions.
NABSW advocates for the inclusion of people of African ancestry at the decision and policy-making levels and continues to be a change agent in the areas of social work education, practice, and research. Members of NABSW recognize the necessity for people of African ancestry to maintain control of our communities and accountability of self and others of African ancestry. Through its membership, NABSW seeks to link with others of African ancestry throughout the Diaspora.