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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Newsletter
March 2024
Welcome to the March 2024 issue of the DEI newsletter from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI). This newsletter provides a space for connection, and reflection, as well as for sharing DEI information and resources.
In This Edition
Celebrate Social Work Month: Empowering Social Workers
DEI Spotlight Interview: Temeka Bailey
DEI Initiatives
SSW DEI News
The L.E.A.D. Institute
Upcoming DEI Trainings and Events
Food for Thought
Resources
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Celebrate Social Work Month:
Empowering Social Workers
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The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is excited to celebrate Social Work Month, a time to celebrate the profession by calling attention to the passion, dedication, and accomplishments of Social Workers around the country.
This year's theme - Empowering Social Workers - wants us to recognize the Social Work profession and emphasize the need to improve the pay social workers receive as they do the hard work of addressing societal challenges. The demand for Social Workers only continues to grow, and considering the years of education and training they go through, they must receive the pay and support that allows them to do their vital work.
At UMB, our students, staff, faculty, and alums continue to inspire and motivate us to push the social work profession forward. As we go through this month and the rest of the year, we call on all social workers to think about ways to invest in the profession so we can continue to support individuals, communities, and society at large.
In honor of National Social Work Month, we've identified a few ways to celebrate, educate, and continue to cultivate justice, equity, and inclusion:
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DEI Spotlight Interview:
Temeka Bailey, LCSW-C, LICSW
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The NASW's 2024 theme for National Social Work Month is Empowering Social Workers, an appropriate theme to reflect on, given the innumerable contributions of this month's JEDI Spotlight community member. Temeka S. Bailey, the Director of Social Work Education for the Center for Restorative Change, a clinical instructor, and this year's Whitney Young Alumni JEDI Award Winner has spent much of her social work career building up and honoring the power of her students at the School of Social Work. Whether it's in her Foundation Year practice courses or her role at the Center, she has been a force in the lives of many MSW students. This month, we honor her contributions to the field and dive into some questions to get to know her more!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a proud Black Woman, Wife, Mother, Daughter, and Sister! My hobbies include reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with my fur baby, who happens to be the absolute cutest 100-lb yellow labrador. He is truly adorable!
For over twenty years, I've developed my clinical skills by working in urban K-12 schools, hospitals, and community-based settings. I serve as Director of Social Work Education with the Center for Restorative Change (CRC) through the University of Maryland and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work. Both roles at the university allow me the privilege of supporting graduate and undergraduate students in preparing for a meaningful career in social work.
I completed my undergraduate studies at Bowie State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and later a Master's in Social Work from the University of Maryland. I am currently a Ph.D. Social Work candidate at Morgan State University, with a research focus on culturally responsive trauma-informed care in urban K-12 settings.
What or who inspired you to become a Social Worker, and what has shaped your ongoing commitment to your practice?
Like most social workers, I was drawn to the profession out of a genuine desire to help others through service and advocacy. I've learned from incredible scholars at Morgan State University that social work is rooted in race work. Through meaningful discussions, my professors also instilled the concept of social debt, which involves a responsibility to use my education as a tool in the fight for social justice. I am constantly reminded, "If we stand tall, it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors."-African Proverb.
I am both inspired and fueled by the impact of those before me who worked tirelessly to address racial disparities that harm the Black community. Their legacy motivates my continued journey. For me, social work practice is a personal and professional commitment towards a greater cause. In the words of Angela Davis, "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."
As the director of the Center for Restorative Change's Field Education Program, you oversee the placement of almost 60 MSW interns and a new five-million-dollar school mental health grant. How is your work in that role influenced by principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion?
One of our most recent grants from the Department of Education has positioned us to support the increasing representation of highly qualified mental health providers from diverse backgrounds. Students of color in urban K-12 settings face concentrated disadvantages resulting from disproportionate disciplinary actions, overrepresentation in special education, and being overly pathologized in response to trauma-related behaviors. The Center for Restorative Change is intentional in ensuring that graduate and undergraduate students approach their work through an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework. These efforts increase accountability of systems rather than blaming individuals impacted by institutional and structural oppression. Working in an environment that promotes community organizing, advocacy, and collaboration in pursuit of equity and equality is an absolute joy. I proudly serve alongside an incredible group of colleagues within CRC, the university, and beyond!
Being a social worker requires incredible patience, energy, and community support. Who are your people, and how do you take care of yourself in this work? What brings you joy?
I am blessed to have the support of an AMAZING spouse, along with wonderful family, friends, and colleagues. They understand my passion and are equally invested in the cause. My village reminds me to take care of myself while taking care of others. I find great joy in being part of a community that consistently surrounds me with unconditional love, light, and encouragement.
Given the rise in anti-DEI legislation impacting education and social justice efforts, what is your vision or hope for the social work profession in the next five years?
My hope is to see Social Workers leading transformational change to dismantle the chronic racial disparities in U.S. public serving systems. As social justice advocates, I believe our profession is thoroughly equipped to address disproportionality in education, healthcare, child welfare, and the criminal justice system. We are the ones we've been waiting for!
Interviewed by Ariya Hayes-Lawson
If you are interested in writing a Spotlight Reflection, please complete our ODEI Newsletter Submission Interest Form.
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Support the DEIC
The DEIC (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee) is the School of Social Work's schoolwide committee charged with fostering an atmosphere of equity and inclusiveness.
You can also get involved by joining one of three subcommittees:
Equity and Accessibility, Policy and Advocacy, or Training and Resouces.
The DEIC meets once a month on Mondays from 12:15-1:45 p.m.
The DEIC meeting schedule for the Spring semester will be as follows:
Monday, April 15, 2024
If you are interested in joining a DEIC Subcommittee, you can email deic@ssw.umaryland.edu
If you are interested in attending a DEIC Meeting, you may join the meeting by Clicking Here!
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2024 J.E.D.I. Awards
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in collaboration with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), hosted the 2024 J.E.D.I. Awards!
The award ceremony was a hybrid event held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 12 to 2 p.m.
The 2024 J.E.D.I. Award winners are as follows:
The Whitney Young Alumni Award – Tameka S. Bailey
The Audre Lorde Student Award – Ariya Hayes-Lawson
The Judith Heumann Staff Award – Giselle Joseph
The Camara Jones Faculty Award – Samantha Fuld
The Shirley Chisholm Community Award – Chef Tommy Lyons
The Kimberle Crenshaw Group Award - Social Work Advocates for Social Change
J.E.D.I. Unsung Heros
The J.E.D.I. Unsung Hero Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts within the School of Social Work, often working behind the scenes.
Sarah Dababnah, School of Social Work Faculty
Anita Bryant, SSW Media & Public Relations Manager
Jennifer Kelman, Director of the Child Welfare Academy
Michelle Speaks, SSW Board of Advisory Member
Congrats to all our Winners!
If you are interested in viewing a recording of the 2024 J.E.D.I. Award Ceremony,
please get in touch with the ODEI Office at sswdeioffice@ssw.umaryland.edu.
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ODEI Resources
The ODEI offers resources to enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across the School of Social Work.
Thanks to the Training and Resources Subcommittee of the DEIC, the page is being updated. However, we invite SSW community members to check out what we have done so far!
Click here to review the DEI Resource Page.
The resources provided are not an exhaustive list, so if you have other resources to add, please contact ODEI at sswdeioffice@ssw.umaryland.edu.
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The L.E.A.D. Institute 2024 - 2025
L.E.A.D., which stands for Leading for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Diversity, is an eConvening training and
coaching series through the University of Maryland, School of
Social Work. It is focused on cultivating an anti-racist
mindset, promoting equity, and dismantling structural
racism and oppression.
We will release our 2024 - 2025 L.E.A.D. Institute schedule during the new school year!
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Upcoming DEI Trainings and Events
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DEI Event Calendar
Click on the links below for event descriptions and/or registration information!
- March 5th
- March 12th
- March 18th
- March 20th
- March 21st
- March 25th
- March 28th
April Save the Dates
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International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31st
International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual awareness day celebrated worldwide on March 31st. The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender-nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice.
To Learn More about the Day, check out the resources below:
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Ramadan
(March 10 - April 9)
In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and a holy month dedicated to fasting, introspection, and prayer. Muslims believe it was during this month God gave the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad and told him he was in charge of carrying God’s message, which is why it is considered one of the most sacred times for Muslims.
Every year, Muslims fast each day of Ramadan from dawn until dusk for the month. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of March 10, 2024, and end on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Sweets or Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of Ramadan, with celebrations including spending time with family and friends, gift-giving, charitable giving, and festivals with food and activities.
We encourage you to learn more by visiting these websites and resources:
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SSW Climate/Culture Concerns Reporting Form
A form that allows all members of the SSW community to submit their concerns and feedback related to the SSW climate and culture is available. The form, which is overseen by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was a collaborative effort between key SSW stakeholders. It creates a formal structure and system of collecting data and information that can be used to address school-wide challenges related to diversity, equity, climate, and inclusion. This form is not meant to duplicate but rather to strengthen and complement processes already in place. The form was also launched as a tool that allows for a more restorative approach in responding to issues and concerns related to climate and culture at SSW.
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University of Maryland School of Social Work | 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
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