Social justice is a driving force of the social work profession and at the heart of social welfare pioneers such as Jane Adams. Social justice addresses a myriad of societal issues related to equality, human rights, equity, and challenging power and privilege embedded in the status quo. It's found at the intersections of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability. As an urban institution based in the heart of Detroit, we cannot turn a blind eye to the social justice atrocities that have commanded the attention of Americans and impacted our fellow Detroiters. As social justice advocates, we are working to embody our social justice ideals across our research, teaching, community outreach and practice activities to ensure all members of society are afforded equal rights, opportunities, protection and benefits. 

As the call to end racial inequity rang loud across the nation and world last summer, we organized a series of community discussions that highlighted the rich history of activism in social work and the Metro Detroit community. The response to these events was robust and positive. We selected to expand on these conversations with a three-part series focused on diversity, equity and inclusion:

1. The first in this series, "Stepping Up for Social Justice Activism: How you can create change", was an online forum hosted on Thursday, October 22, 2020 highlighting the experience of local advocates working to advance social justice.
2. The second in this series, "Show Me the Money: Why Financial Capability Matters for Social Workers and the Communities They Serve", will occur on Monday, January 25, 2021 and will discuss the principles of asset building and how knowledge of these principles will facilitate social work knowledge and practice.
3. The third in this series, "Do Black Men deserve the American dream? The Impact of Gendered Deservingness on economic security for marginalized families", will occur on Thursday, March 25, 2021 and will discuss how Black men are affected by the social welfare system and the challenges that impede their ability to attain economic security.

Upcoming Event

It is important to examine system-level barriers to economic disparity and, more importantly, how systematic racism influences this instability. I am thrilled that Dr. Pate is bringing his wisdom on the subject to our Detroit community and look forward to this engaging community event. - Sheryl Kubiak, PhD, Dean and Professor

The Wayne State University School of Social Work and Office of Continuing Education are proud to host David J. Pate Jr., PhD as the keynote speaker in the third and final lecture of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion series. Pate will be presenting "Do Black Men deserve the American dream? The Impact of Gendered Deservingness on economic security for marginalized families" on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 3 - 5 pm.

This talk will examine the historical and social phenomenon that produce economic instability and insecurity for Black men in the U.S. The intent is to illuminate current social policies and institutional practices that frustrateand create virtually insurmountable barriers tothe industry and economic well-being of low-income Black men. The most notorious policy in this context is child support policy for very low-income, unemployed and never-married parents.  The race and gender focus of this analysis is essential to fully interrogate this policy and the men and families it impacts.

Pate is the Chair and Associate Professor of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Department of Social Work and an Affiliated Associate Professor in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies and University Honors College as well as an Affiliated Associate Professor at the Institute for Research on Poverty (UW-Madison). Pate studies how black men are affected by the social welfare system and the challenges that impede their ability to attain economic security. His research projects involve the use of qualitative research methods to examine life course events of African-American men and boys.

Event details

Title: Do Black Men deserve the American dream? The Impact of Gendered Deservingness on economic security for marginalized families
Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Audience: Open to all
Location: This virtual event will be held on Zoom. Space is limited and we request that attendees RSVP to obtain the Zoom link. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Two Social Work CE's will be available as part of this event for a cost of $5. Pre-registration via the RSVP form is required. This event is hosted on Zoom and we request that attendees join via the Zoom app or website and change their Zoom username to their full name for assistance with attendance verification. Those seeking to obtain the CE's must complete the following:

• Log in to the event by the 3 pm start and attend the full event
• Complete the sign-in form posted to the event Zoom chatbox (you must attend via the Zoom app or website - calling in via phone will not display the chatbox and sign-in form link)
• Pass a short post-event quiz (link will be emailed after the event)
• Complete the $5 payment (link will be emailed after the event) 

The CE certificate will be emailed within 10 business days. For questions regarding CE's contact ce_ssw@wayne.edu or 313-577-9348. 

STUDENT ATTENDANCE TRACKING: Would you like to give your students extra credit for attending this event? We will track their attendance for you! Instructors need to simply email their class roster(s) via Excel to Liz Kennedy. This event is hosted on Zoom and we request that attendees join via the Zoom app or website and change their Zoom username to their full name for assistance with attendance verification. Social Work students needing to verify their attendance for extra credit must complete the following and verification will then be sent to your instructor after the event:

• Log in to the event by the 3 pm start and attend the full event (you must attend via the Zoom app or website - calling in via phone will not display the chatbox and sign-in form link)
• Complete the sign-in form posted to the event Zoom chatbox

For questions regarding student attendance tracking contact Liz Kennedy at elizabethkennedy@wayne.edu or 313-577-4400.

ACCOMMODATIONS: This event will be taped and posted to our WSU Social Work YouTube channel. Closed captions and alternate language subtitles, such as Spanish, will be available to viewers via YouTube. To request additional accommodations please contact Betsy Vanderstelt at fq0994@wayne.edu or 313-577-4464.

For additional information on the event and upcoming events in the Series visit the WSU Event Calendar or contact Betsy Vanderstelt at fq0994@wayne.edu.