Join Us for the 2024 Men of Color
in Social Work Summit: Our PowerThe Men of Color in Social Work Summit is your opportunity to connect, celebrate, and be empowered by exploring the identity-based needs of men of color in their educational and career stages within the social work profession.
This one-day event focuses on the theme "Our Power," focusing on the unique perspectives and contributions men of color bring to social work.
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Summit SessionsPlease see here for the summit schedule. The summit will delve into critical issues through engaging large and small group sessions. Read on for a preview of the sessions that will be offered as well as our phenomenal lineup of expert speakers, facilitators, and panelists!
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Opening Keynote RemarksSilver School of Social Work’s Dean Lindsey will set the tone for the summit by sharing remarks and preparing us for a day of connecting with our community and engaging in essential conversations.
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DEAN MICHAEL LINDSEY — Opening Keynote SpeakerDr. Michael A. Lindsey is a noted scholar of child and adolescent mental health, and a leader in addressing generational poverty and inequality. He is the Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work at NYU Silver School of Social Work, and an Aspen Health Innovator Fellow. Dr. Lindsey led the working group of experts supporting the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health, which created the report Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America. He serves on the New York City Board of Health and is the President of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.
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Closing Debrief & Keynote RemarksDr. Kirk “Jae” James will facilitate a conversation around the culminating themes of
the day as well as share his unique perspectives and personal experiences to close out the summit.
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DR. KIRK "JAE" JAMES — Closing Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kirk "Jae" James is an immigrant, formerly incarcerated black man committed to creating a world in which everyone can self-actualize. Jae completed a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Practice and is currently the Director of the DSW program at NYU Silver School of Social Work and the Chair of the Diversity, Race, Oppression, and Privilege (DROP) curricula area. Jae has authored numerous academic articles and book chapters; and speaks internationally on mass incarceration, anti-oppression, human rights, trauma, abolition praxis, and liberatory pedagogy. Jae is also completing his first book, titled 94A6325: Coming of Age In The Era of Mass Incarceration, which is a reflection and amalgamation of his lived experience and research within carceral systems.
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Locating Positionality: Unpacking
Our Social and Personal Identities
Kenton Kirby, LCSW will lead summit participants in discussion-based activities investigating the varied identities present and the micro to macro impact those identities can have on our social work practice. Participants will work through a strengths-based lens to locate themselves as men of color social workers.
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KENTON KIRBY — Session FacilitatorKenton Kirby is a dedicated social worker with two decades of experience working with various populations. Known for his empathetic approach and strong advocacy skills, he has successfully implemented numerous programs aimed at improving the lives of those in need. His commitment to social justice and community empowerment has earned him widespread recognition in the field.
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Critically Examining the Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health of Men of Color in Social Work
NYU alum Oluwatosin Akindele, LCSW will facilitate a critical analysis of the systemic and structural factors that impact the well-being of communities of color, specifically men of color, and lead a discussion on the responsibility of social workers to address public health care disparities.
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OLUWATOSIN AKINDELE — Workshop Facilitator
Oluwatosin Akindele, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and school social worker based in Brooklyn, NY. He is the author of The Boys' Guide to Growth Mindset: A Can-Do Approach to Building Confidence, Resilience, and Courage. Through his private practice, TherapyForUsbyUs, he focuses on supporting people of color through trauma and healing.
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What Can Community Look Like for Men of Color in Social Work?
NYU alum and adjunct lecturer Joshua Ware, LCSW will guide participants through a workshop defining community for specific populations, the impact that collective gathering has on an individual, and action-based methods to create and sustain community for men of color in social work.
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JOSHUA WARE — Workshop Facilitator
Raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, Joshua Ware, LCSW is a clinical social worker who is doing his best to have a positive impact on the lives of those he has a privilege working with clinically. Joshua’s goal is to create accessible healing spaces for folks who are seeking ways to love themselves and find restorative ways to heal from their adverse experiences. Joshua has spoken, presented, and taught in a plethora of spaces where he looks to apply those same clinical principles and his love for people to those larger spaces.
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Envisioning the Future for Men of Color in Social Work
In this interactive session led by NYU Silver alum and incoming DSW student Robert Aviles, participants will explore how we can leverage our individual and collective power to reimagine the future of social work for men of color and the role we could play in shaping that vision.
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ROBERT AVILES — Workshop Facilitator
Robert Aviles, LMSW (he/him) is a 1st-Generation, Hispanic-native, born and raised in Harlem, New York. Robert utilizes a dynamic and integrative approach to his professional work that centers an anti-colonial praxis and commits itself to the core values of anti-racism and social justice. His framework combines evidence based principles, research, and advanced clinical theory delivered in a way that is empowering, relatable, and transformational. Presently, Robert proudly serves NYC's most vulnerable at NYC Health & Hospitals | Lincoln within their Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and looks forward to returning to NYU Silver as he begins his DSW Program #Classof2027 this fall.
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Navigating Identity in Social Work Education & Practice
This panel will explore how our intersectional identities impact our social work education and practice. Student, alum, and faculty panelists will share their experiences as men of color in social work and provide insights on self-care, empowering self and others, visioning for the future, and structural transformation.
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COURTNEY O'MEALLEY — Panel Moderator
Courtney is the Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Student Ombuds at NYU Silver School of Social Work. In this position, Dean O’Mealley works with the School’s senior leadership, faculty, alumni, and students to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that stimulates collaboration, debate, and social interaction. Dean O’Mealley has more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education since completing his Master of Social Work degree. Their expertise is in higher education administration, leadership, student and alumni engagement, project management, strategic planning, and communication. Dean O’Mealley received his MSW with a focus on Student Community Development from Stony Brook University. They have previously served in leadership roles in Student Affairs at The New School and Cornell University.
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KELSEY LOUIE — Panelist
The proud son of immigrant parents, Kelsey Louie has been the CEO of The Door and Broome Street Academy, a premier youth development organization and its charter high school, since 2021. He was the CEO of Gay Men's Health Crisis from 2014 to 2021. He holds an MSW and an MBA, and is an adjunct associate professor at NYU's Silver School of Social Work.
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DANIEL TANH — Panelist
Daniel B. Tanh, LCSW, (he/him/his) is a Chinese American take-out kid, son of Cambodian Chinese refugees, Brooklyn resident, Philadelphia native, and current NYU Silver DSW student. He centers social justice as a core value and believes that mental health is about individual and community wellness. He brings compassion and insight from his clinical and leadership experiences partnering with people in youth and volunteer programs, ACT, PROS, OnTrackNY, and anti-racist initiatives. Currently, in addition to his psychotherapy, coaching, and consulting practice, he organizes with the New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health and provides training and technical assistance through NYU McSilver.
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TANNER WILLIAMS — Summit Host & Panelist
Tanner Kaleb Williams, LMSW is a social worker and psychotherapist who integrates his love for art and creativity into his practice. Grounded in abolitionist principles, he creates brave spaces for individuals to express their authentic selves through a radical acceptance and expansive approach to healing. Committed to community building, Tanner fosters environments that support collective growth and well-being. Tanner is based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn on occupied Lenape land.
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Register today and share this event with others to explore how we can leverage our unique strengths to empower ourselves, each other, and our communities. For any questions about the summit, please reach out to silver.careerdesign@nyu.edu.
We can't wait to connect with you at the summit!
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