Empowering Black Women Social Workers

March is National Social Worker Month, a time to acknowledge social employees’ tireless efforts and invaluable contributions across the country.

This 12 months’s theme, “Empowering Social Workers,” resonates deeply with professionals like Whitney Coleman, LICSW, LCSW-C, who tirelessly advocate for higher recognition, compensation and support. As owner of Jade Clinical Services and Breaking Boundaries Therapist Academy based in Washington, DC, Coleman is on the forefront of empowering patients, social employees, and particularly Black women.

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded greater than 715,000 social employees within the United States. By 2030, this number is anticipated to extend by 12% to 782,00 social employees, making social work one in every of the fastest growing professions within the country.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and a minor in psychology and international studies, Coleman earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. He is licensed in 4 states and the District of Columbia. Coleman has successfully navigated the complex issues that many social employees face regarding compensation, increased skilled respect, and recognition.

Coleman shared her experiences with BLACK ENTERPRISES, providing insight into the challenges, opportunities and advantages of being a social employee.

The invisible backbone of society

Social employees are ubiquitous throughout society, but their work often goes unnoticed and undervalued. Trained to assist individuals, families, communities, and even society as an entire, social employees work in schools, hospitals, and on the federal, state, and native levels in government, corporations, social service agencies, and veterans facilities.

“There are a lot of different social workers, but no one knows what we do,” Coleman says.

Social employees are sometimes called upon in times of crisis, but should not respected or recognized for his or her crucial role. The opioid addiction crisis has hit the United States hard, impacting all races, regions and economic levels. Homelessness is growing. According to Centers for Disease Control and Preventionthe variety of suicides has increased.

Social employees can take care of these social problems. “We are the ones called in emergencies, but once the crisis is over, we are once again ignored and asked to treat others while silently struggling to heal our personal and professional battles,” Coleman says. “I want to change that.”

Dealing with life changes, anxiety and trauma

In her practice, Coleman focuses on supporting women, especially women of color, as they face life changes, fears and trauma. “Life changes, anxiety and trauma go hand in hand,” she says. “When things change in your life, it can cause anxiety, and sometimes those changes are traumatic.”

Coleman emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma beyond traditional definitions. “Trauma is different for every person. What may be traumatic for one person may not be for another.”

Shedding light on a phenomenon deeply rooted within the Black community often called the “Black Superwoman Syndrome,” Coleman describes the concept as “reflecting expectations for Black women to embody strength, resilience and independence, often at the expense of their well-being.” existence.”

The pressure to take care of others while neglecting personal needs is a significant aspect of this syndrome, resulting in exhaustion and emotional tension.

“This syndrome forces black women to have it all together, to appear strong and composed even in the face of internal struggles and challenges,” Coleman says. “As social workers and therapists, we know how harmful this can be.”

The relentless social demands and expectations of on a regular basis life often leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. Recognizing these experiences, Coleman says, “Black women can overcome personal and professional challenges and reclaim their narratives.”

Empowering through education and support

Despite the challenges, Coleman stays committed to empowering social employees, mental health practitioners and patients. Through Therapist Academy, Breaking Boundaries provides BIPOC mental health professionals with the knowledge, tools and support to construct thriving private practices.

“Empowerment starts with recognizing our value and calling for change,” says Coleman. “Together we can create a better future for social workers and the communities we (social workers) serve. When we do this, it will have a positive impact on everyone.”

By addressing systemic challenges and providing support and education, Coleman is paving the way in which for a more equitable and empowered future in the sphere of social work.