Equity, Justice, and Inclusion
Coming Together to Enact Change
From the classroom to work in the communities, we train students to use evidence-based social work practice to enact social change and promote the values at the heart of our discipline: equity, justice, and inclusion.
Our steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion is reflected in our strategic plan: As we move into the future, we’re dedicated to reexamining and revising our curriculum to include diverse voices and perspectives. We will create more opportunities for students and faculty who are members of historically underrepresented and disadvantaged communities. And we will endeavor to continuously cultivate an inclusive culture that ensures each member of our community enjoys equitable access to facilities, programs, resources, and services.
Our trainings and programming complement students’ educational experiences and provide opportunities for continued learning for all members of the BCSSW community through traditions like the Diversity Event on Field Education Day, the Annual Diversity Lecture and Alumni Awards, the Black History Month Lecture, and the Pinderhughes Diversity Lecture.
Event Spotlight
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2019 Discussion Panel
Annual Equity, Justice, and Inclusion Lecture
February 1, 2019
The Challenge and Promise of Equity, Justice, and Inclusion: Prophetic Voices
This panel discussion featured four social workers at different stages in their careers speaking about the complexities of serving others as a male of color in the field of social work. Panelists include Michael Grinnell, MSW ’16, LCSW, Post-Graduate Fellow at Williams College Integrative Wellbeing Services; Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Pastor, Historic Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church; Josh McNeil, MSW ’15, LCSW, Behavioral Health Clinician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia School of Social Work.
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Race, Place and Poverty: Exploring Intersectionality
February 7, 2019
Race, Place and Poverty: Exploring Intersectionality in Criminal Justice
Hosted by RISE3 and sponsored by the Institute for the Liberal Arts, this symposium series matches scholars with senior practitioners to examine the impact of the racial identity, poverty status, and place on outcomes in key areas of social policy. Co-sponsored by BCSSW’s Office of the Dean, February’s upcoming symposium, entitled Race, Place and Poverty: Exploring Intersectionality in Criminal Justice, will feature Dr. Jessica Simes, Assistant Professor, Boston University, and Adam Foss, Founder and President of Prosecutor Impact.
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2019 Guest Speaker Renée Boynton-Jarrett, MD, ScD
13th Annual Pinderhughes Diversity Lecture
April 26, 2019
“An Ounce of Prevention: Building Communities of Opportunity to Mitigate Structural Inequities and Childhood Adversities”
This lecture is named in honor of Professor Emerita Elaine Pinderhughes, who helped establish the School’s annual diversity series. This year, our speaker is Renée Boynton-Jarrett, MD, ScD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, and Founding Director, Vital Village Community Engagement Network.
Pinderhughes Diversity Lecture Series
The Pinderhughes Diversity Lecture Series brings changemakers to campus to speak about pressing topics within the field. The series honors Professor Emerita Elaine Pinderhughes, whose vision and mentorship has long inspired students to advocate for social progress.
Keynote speaker Pam Cross, Professor Emerita Elaine Pinderhughes, and Donahue and DiFelice Professor of Social Work Ruth McRoy at the 2017 event.
In honor of the many accomplishments and contributions made by noted teacher and scholar, Professor Emerita Elaine Pinderhughes, we invite alumni, students and their friends and family to lend their support to the Elaine Pinderhughes Fellowship, a fund that provides financial aid assistance each year to outstanding African-American doctoral students at the Boston College School of Social Work.
2018
Cia Verschelden, Executive Director of Institutional Assessment
Office of Academic Effectiveness, University of Central Oklahoma
"Bandwidth Recovery: Reclaiming Cognitive Resources Lost to Poverty, Racism, and Other 'Differentisms'"
2017
Pam Cross, Journalist, News Reporter and Social Entrepreneur
"What Phenomenal Women Know"
2016
Elaine Pinderhughes, Professor Ermerita at Boston College School of Social Work
Patricia Romney, Licensed Clinical and Organizational Psychologist at Romney Associates, Inc.
Vanessa Jackson, Soul Doula at Healing Circles
"Understanding Power: 21st Century Human Services Imperative"
2015
Salome Raheim, Dean and Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work
"Race and Justice: From Analysis to Action"
2014
Mary Catherine Bateson, Writer and Cultural Anthropologist
"On the Work of Societal Healing: The Age of Active Wisdom"
2013
Christine Griffin, Executive Director, The Disability Law Center
"Diversity and Inclusion: When Will People with Disabilities Be Included?"
2012
Vincent D. Rougeau, Dean, Boston College Law School
"Reflections on Justice and Religious Diversity: Why Living Together Is Better than Apart"
2011
Dr. Jack Kirkland, Professor, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis
"The Black Masses—Permanently in Poverty—Slavery—Depression—Recession—as Far as the Eye Can See. Unless…"
2010
Dr. Usha George, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University, Toronto
"Immigrants and Refugees: Settlement Issues and Service Delivery Models"
2009
Dr. Beverly Greene, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology at St. John's University, NY
"Social Marginalization By and Between the Marginalized: What the Same Sex Marriage Debate Hath Wrought. Implications for Mental Health Providers."
2008
Dr. Monica McGoldrick, Director of Multicultural Family Institute in Highland Park, NJ
"Culture Matters: But What Difference Does It Make?"
2007
Dr. Nancy Boyd-Franklin, Clinical Psychology Professor, Rutgers University
"The Treatment of African American Clients and Families"
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Latinx Leadership Initiative (LLI)
Through Spanish-language courses, mentorship, and career development education, the BCSSW Latinx Leadership Initiative prepares future social workers to work with Latinx communities. We also provide training for faculty and staff to understand the complexities of the communities they work with.