Now on YouTube: How the Social Work Profession has Promoted Racism without Racists — Real Talk about Anti-Black Racism

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the event “How the Social Work Profession has Promoted Racism without Racists: Real Talk about Anti-Black Racism.” For those who were not able to attend (or for those who would like to view the discussion again), please find a link to a recording of the event, below.

This past year, schools of social work, professional associations, and others have held talks on anti-Black racism in our society. On March 26, we hosted a panel discussion featuring faculty members and alumni who work across a variety of system levels in social work to extend these discussions and cast a critical eye on how we can better support systemic change within social work education and the profession.

What’s next? Register for an upcoming event, learn about recent initiatives — and more

May 10: Seize the Moment to Build a Movement

On May 10, at 6:30pm ET, the FIFSW Alumni Association presents our 2021 Distinguished Speaker Series public lecture, featuring the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. Drawing from her extensive experience, Michaëlle Jean will present a call to action to eradicate systemic racial discrimination. We hope you can join us for this online event. > Register here

April 27 & 30: Hear the Voices of Survivors of Homicide Victims

The Centre for Research and Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims (The CRIB) and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario invite you to learn about an innovative project designed to explore the impact of homicide on the mental health and well-being of Indigenous, African, Caribbean, and Black, and Racialized survivors of homicide victims and their service providers. > Register here

> Visit FIFSW’s Event Calendar to view more upcoming events

Read U of T’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force final report

The University of Toronto’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force was established by the university leadership in September last year as part of U of T’s response to the global anti-Black racism protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as well as incidents of systemic racism in Canada, and impassioned calls within the university community for urgent, substantive and meaningful change.

“This is a pivotal moment for the University of Toronto,” says Dexter Voisin, FIFSW Dean & Task Force Co-Chair. “Other institutions are watching to see how we respond.”

> Read the Anti-Black Racism Task Force’s final report

Learn more: Podcasts & videos you may be interested in

Let’s Talk About Stigma: Hosted by Associate Professor Carmen Logie, Canada Research Chair in Global Health Equity & Social Justice with Marginalized Populations, with support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), this podcast invites a range of weekly guests to talk about all different kinds of stigma. Why does it matter? What does it look like? What can we do about it?

The New Normal with Maydianne Andrade: “Scapegoat” is a special two-part episode of The New Normal hosted by Maydianne Andrade, Canada Research Chair in Integrative Behavioural Ecology and Professor at U of T Scarborough. Andrade spoke with Associate Professor Diana Fu and Associate Professor Jooyoung Lee about the history of anti-Asian racism and its devastating impacts.

Agency Responses to the Dual Pandemics of Anti-Black Racism and COVID-19: The Children and Their Families Field of Study at FIFSW invited a panel of distinguished speakers from school-based social work and Canada’s national help line for children and youth to share how they are responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Black racism. 

The CRIB: 30@8:30: Last spring, Associate Professor Tanya Sharpe and her collaborators at The Centre for Research and Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims (The CRIB) developed a series of Instagram Live talks focused on the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations. Past episodes from the series is available to view on The CRIB’s YouTube channel.

Racism on the Front Lines: On November 4, 2020 Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream Keith Adamson presented the keynote address at the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers 2020 Educational Forums. Adamson’s presentation implored social workers and social service workers to take steps to remedy and promote healing, both within their own practice and within the communities and with the clients they serve. He also shared his thoughts around advocacy and what social workers and social service workers can do in order to address racism at all levels.