It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right: Black Mentoring Matters

It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right: Black Mentoring Matters

In 2018, the College of Social Work created the Social Justice Innovation Initiative (SJII) by establishing a grant for students and faculty to creatively challenge social injustices in their communities. The focus of 2018 was Challenging Racism. One of the funded projects was the creation of a Coalition of Black Social Workers (CBSW). The CBSW mobilized a group of professional Black social workers to create networking and mentoring opportunities with both face-to-face and online students. Connecting students of color with mentors of color increases their sense of belonging and purpose, which further enhances their educational and professional experiences. This presentation will show how important mentorship is to the black community—it takes two to make a thing go right.

Proposal Outline

It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right: Black Mentoring Matters

I. Introduction: Social Justice Innovative Initiative Grant (Coalition of Black Social Workers)

1. Quiz—who teaches you?

II. Explanation of the Coalition of Black Social Workers

1. One-on-one mentoring

III. Benefits of mentoring minority students

1. Need for minority mentors
2. Statistics about the importance of mentoring for minority students
3. Mentors help minority students reach potential: Illuminate and Unveil the Truth

IV. Video of CBSW Mentors and Mentees

1. Qualitative stories about the impact of the mentoring relationship

V. Importance for Mentoring across all departments and disciplines for Black students to achieve potential

http://www.csw.utk.edu/diversity/cbsw/