Wayne State School of Social Work alumna Chatelah Brown, a school social worker for Phoenix Academy in Atlanta, was selected as the 2024 School Social Worker of the Year for her district (District 4) by the School Social Workers Association of Georgia. One member from each of the state’s 10 districts is recognized for this outstanding achievement annually in recognition of their leadership at district and state levels, political and legislative engagement, commitment to the Code of Ethics and their contributions to the School Social Work profession.

Brown is grateful for the recognition and credits two important forces for leading her to where she is today: God and Janet Joiner, former Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for the School of Social Work.

“Chatelah has such a kind and caring spirit. She is humorous, innovative, and has the unique ability to inspire others toward positive change,” said Joiner who is now the Department Chair and Assistant Professor for the University of Detroit Mercy’s Department of Social Work. “I am proud to call Chatelah a professional colleague."

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Brown relocated to Milwaukee at age 10. Never a fan of the cold, she left the northern climate on a basketball scholarship to a university in Florida after high school. Brown envisioned basketball and a career as a sports commentator as the path to her future, but an injury disrupted that path and set her on a new course.

After her injury, Brown didn’t feel the passion she once felt for sports journalism, so she returned home and pledged the Zeta Phi Beta sorority at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She and her fellow sorority sisters participated in several community service projects. When she began tutoring children from underserved neighborhoods, Brown started to feel the inklings of passion starting to reignite within her, leading her to complete her undergraduate degree and begin a career in education. While she enjoyed working with the kids, she realized that the challenges her students faced were more than she could address as a teacher.

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined myself saying, ‘One day I want to be a social worker,’ because when I was growing up, social workers – in the African American community especially – had a negative connotation,” Brown said. “But I knew God wanted me to do more to help people. It’s amazing how He has a way of getting you to where you’re supposed to be at the time you're supposed to be there.”

Brown began attending Wayne State’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program with a focus on family, children and youth and certification as a school social worker.

“Wayne State was so progressive, even back then, to offer certification as a school social worker while getting your MSW,” said Brown who graduated in 1996. “It really gave me the upper hand. I attribute a lot of my success to Wayne State and to Janet Joiner.”

Despite her outgoing and gregarious nature, Brown almost quit school due to a fear of public speaking. Working with groups during her undergraduate degree allowed her to stay behind the scenes during presentations and working as a sports commentator would mean speaking into a camera or recording device – not having to speak publicly in front of people.

“I tell people that story and they don't believe me, but I was literally going to drop out because I had a fear of speaking because I have a speech impediment, I stutter,” Brown said. “I always found myself in Janet's office. I went to her office, and I literally cried.”

Joiner helped Brown address her fear of speaking by persuading her to speak at monthly information meetings for people considering Wayne State’s program, sharing her experiences from the student perspective. By gently pushing Brown out of her comfort zone, Joiner helped her overcome her fear.  

“I’m glad I trusted her enough to allow me to try something different. I don’t think she’ll ever understand the impact she’s had on my life,” Brown said. “We just had a special connection. She pushed me and she didn’t give up on me and I want to be that kind of mentor for other people.”

One way that Brown has helped others is by developing “her baby,” The Phoenix Academy Social Work Café and training center, a space for her colleagues to access the resources they need to learn, grow and take time for self-care. The Café, supported by grant funding, is fully stocked with snacks and supplies that can also be used to provide support to students and their families.

Brown received “Special Recognition” from Georgia State Governor Brian Kemp; United States Senator, Raphael Warnock; United States Senator, Jon Ossoff; The Atlanta City Council, and Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Danielle Battle.

Brown mentors 25 of the 78 social workers in her district and oversees the Lead Program for social workers wanting to grow within their school district as a member of the State Committee for the School Social Workers Association of Georgia.

Her work plays a vital role in empowering urban neighborhoods, aligning with Wayne State’s Prosperity Agenda launched by President Kimberly Andrews Espy in April 2024. The university offers opportunities for students and alumni to confront urban health challenges in Detroit and beyond.

"Chatelah and I were classmates in the MSW program and served in social work student organizations together. She was truly inspiring, showing unwavering dedication to the social work profession. Her commitment has continued to shine in her career, where she has been a driving force in supporting students, building community among colleagues, and empowering the next generation of social workers. It is fantastic to see her recognized for her exceptional leadership and dedication to social justice," said Wayne State University Social Work Acting Dean Patterson.

Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, Brown is also a coach for Metrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, providing mental health evaluation, training, and research for K-12 schools. This role allows her to share her experience with school districts nationwide, bringing best practices and resources to the next generation of school-based mental health practitioners.

“I'm really looking forward to being able to touch the lives of more of my colleagues because I feel like when we die, the knowledge we have dies with us,” said Brown. “Somebody took the time to pour that knowledge into me and it’s my time to pour it into others. Paying it forward is how our profession evolves and grows, and that's how we get better.”

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Writer: Sarah Freeman and Editor: Betsy Vanderstelt

Hero image caption: Chatelah Brown in the Social Work Cafe' she launched in honor of National Social Work Appreciation Month. Photo credit: ATL Public Schools @apsupdate X/Twitter.