FIFSW alumna Michelle English harnesses the power of social work to open doors for Black students and racialized communities
Categories: Alumni + Friends, Partners
Photo by Nikki D. Nice (www.nikkidnycephoto.com)
In recognition of U of T Giving Day, we bring you a story on Michelle English, one of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work’s dedicated supporters. Learn what inspires her to give back to the Faculty as a donor and volunteer.
Donations up to $1,000 made between now and March 26 will be matched by the University, while matching funds last.
Michelle English (MSW 2015) is committed to opening doors.
Whether working with clients to explore unmet needs associated with drug use in her role as a social worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) or supporting Black students as a supervisor, mentor and donor—she is empowering those around her, helping them unlock opportunities.
“There was so much stacked against me in terms of equity and promotion in the workplace,” she says. “If there’s a way I can help remove barriers for others, I will.”
In her 20s, English left university to work full-time, helping her mom with finances at home and supporting her two younger sisters graduate from university. When she decided to return to school to pursue a Bachelor and then Master of Social Work, she juggled her studies and volunteer placements with financial commitments to her family.
“Going back to school in my 30s was a chance to start fresh, get reinvigorated and to arm myself with knowledge to broaden my opportunities,” she says. “But it was also very stressful. I was so tired between studies and working several jobs to pay the bills. My mental health suffered. I barely made it through. It was my faith in God and my family that got me through that difficult time”
With help from staff support, mentorship and a small inheritance after her father died, English was able to excel in the advanced standing MSW program and practicum placements. Inspired by the mentors who helped her thrive as a student, English didn’t wait until reaching a certain level of success before giving back after graduating. Instead, she has been lifting others up throughout her journey.
“Studying a Master’s degree at U of T was not only a personal goal for me,” she says. “But as a Black woman of Afro-Guyanese heritage, it was also a form of social action to create space for Black and racialized people in post-secondary education.”
Her social work studies aligned with her drive to empower others, while helping her recognize and reflect on her own experiences with racism.
“I definitely experienced a ‘glass ceiling’,” she says. “My post-secondary education helped me understand how people have been structurally impeded and oppressed based on their social location.” Through her specialization in the mental health field of study, English developed a social work philosophy grounded in anti-oppressive and anti-racist theory, with an approach that recognizes and builds on strengths to empower clients.
“As a social worker, there are a lot of values you bring to the work, whether that’s social justice, dignity, respect and integrity,” she says. “You are also always learning from your clients, who are often so knowledgeable about the resources available and much more. I think it’s important to be humble and to accept learning from all directions and people.” By gaining a deep understanding of how her clients were experiencing marginalization and exclusion in accessing resources and navigating the mental health system, English was better able to support them. “Knowledge is power,” she says.
As part of her Master’s studies, English explored the importance of making addiction supports available within the jail system. Now at CAMH in forensic mental health and justice and outpatient addiction, she works closely with diverse, marginalized, and often stigmatized populations, whose mental health and substance use challenges make them especially vulnerable. In supporting and advocating for them—as well as continually learning from them—she draws from her training and her prior work and practicum experience in various frontline community organizations.
English also advocates for her colleagues across CAMH as co-chair of the Black Employee Resource Group and Social Work Profile working group and through her role as a union steward and bargaining team member—uplifting Black staff and spotlighting social workers across CAMH, while further growing her network.
Knowing first-hand the transformative power of education, English supports Black and racialized students at FIFSW as a donor, mentor, supervisor, adjunct professor and an active member of the FIFSW Alumni Association. “We cannot afford to work in silos,” says English, who encourages the many FIFSW Master of Social Work students she supervises and mentors to expand their networks.
“In social work, networking helps you gain an understanding of the services out there. When you’re collaborating with your colleagues and community partners, you are better able to support your clients, but equally, you build a community of networks that can be leveraged for future career success.” She notes that community building is especially important for Black and racialized individuals, as it fosters connection, safety and the knowledge exchange needed to navigate unique workplace challenges
English is particularly proud to have taken part in early fundraising for FIFSW’s Talk it Out Clinic, an online counselling program that serves marginalized communities while preparing students for careers in counselling. “It’s not only providing a training ground for social work students interested in psychotherapy, but it is also about giving back to the community and supporting Black, racialized and marginalized clients in healing,” says English, who was recognized with the U of T Arbor Award for civic duty (2020) and the Outstanding Alumni Mentorship Award (2020-2021).
This year, English is inviting the community to support two scholarships for Black social work students, as an ambassador for the upcoming University of Toronto Giving Day happening on Tuesday, March 26.
“I want to help students, especially Black students, lean into their education and focus on limitless opportunities in social work, rather than being stalled by the roadblocks that can discourage and silence greatness.”
She hopes to inspire others to invest in inclusive excellence and unlock opportunities for Black students, by donating to The Beverly & Emerson Mascoll Graduate Scholarship and the Dr. Daniel G. Hill Sr. Scholarship—both supporting Black Master of Social Work students.
“I just remember how hard it was for me,” says English. “Giving is more than money. It’s a way of telling students you see them, you care for them, you support their dreams and aspirations. It allows students the opportunity to excel without fear of incurring insurmountable debt for themselves and their families.”
It is yet another way English continues to open doors.
By Carolyn Morris
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