PHYLON About the Guest Editors: June Gary Hopps the Thomas M. “Jim” Parham Professor of Family and Children Studies in the School PHYLON of Social Work at the University of Georgia. She is a graduate of Spelman College in THE CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY Atlanta; she also served on its Board of Trustees as both a member and chair for many years. Dr. Hopps earned a master of social work degree from Atlanta University and a REVIEW OF RACE AND CULTURE Ph.D. in social welfare from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Hopps joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 2000. Earlier, she was professor and Dean for nearly a quarter century at the Boston College School of Social Work. She was the first African American and the youngest person to serve as dean of the School th of Social Work. Dr. Hopps was the first African Americans to serve as editor-in-chief of Social Work, the flagship journal of the National Association of Social Workers. She is a past recipient of the Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Education of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award from the Council on Social Work Education. The award recognizes exemplary School of Social Work Special Volume accomplishments in research, teaching pedagogy, curriculum development and organizational leadership over an entire career. Ruby Gourdine Vol. 57 Number 2 • Winter 2020 2 • Winter 57 Number Vol. is professor of social work at Howard University she completed her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees at Howard University. Her Master of Social Work degree was earned from Atlanta University School of Social Work. She began her career at Howard University School of Social Work in 1992 and served as the Director of Field Education for over 16 years and since 2011 serves as the Chair of Direct Practice Sequence in the School. She was named social worker of the year in 2000 by the DC Metro Chapter of NASW. In 2010 she was recognized as one of the social work pioneers by the National Association of Social Workers, for research focusing on child welfare, youth exposure to violence, women’s issues, and social work history. In October 2014 The Social Work Degree Guide named her one of 30 most influential social workers alive today. She continues her efforts fighting for social justice. One Exceptional University! WINTER 2020 | VOLUME 57 | NUMBER 2 PHYLON Executive Editorial Staff Past Editors W. E. B. Du Bois (1940–1944) Editor Ira De A. Reid (1944–1948) Obie Clayton, Jr. Mozell C. Hill (1948–1958) Tilman C. Cothran (1959–1970) Associate Editor John D. Reid (1971–1978) Sheila Flemming-Hunter Charles F. Duncan (1978–1980) Wilbur W. Watson (1980–1989) Lucy C. Grisby (1989–1998) Jeff Porterfield (1998–2002) Editorial Board Ann Adams—Cornell University Danielle Gray–Singh— Delores Aldridge—Emory University Clark Atlanta University Derrick Alridge—University of Virginia June G. Hopps—University of Georgia Whitney Battle–Baptiste— Ida Rousseau Mukenge— University of Massachusetts Morehouse College John H. Bracey— Loretta Parham— University of Massachusetts Atlanta University Center John S. Butler—University of Texas James Rodriquez— Jaideep Chaudhary— Fathers and Families Coalition of Clark Atlanta University America Kristen Clayton—Oglethorpe University Danille K. Taylor— Barbara Combs—Clark Atlanta University Clark Atlanta University Maurice Daniels—University of Georgia Elsie Scott—Howard University Stephanie Evans—Georgia State University Sandra Taylor— Robert Franklin—Emory University Clark Atlanta University Shirley Williams–Kirksey— Clark Atlanta University Earl Wright—Rhodes College Pictured on the Cover: Whitney M. Young Jr. and Thayer Hall Home of the Current Social Work Program Copyright Information All Phylon (ISSN 0031-8906) publications are registered with the Library of Congress and protected Under Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Reprints (Permission Beyond Fair Use): Written request (to Phylon) must be submitted in order to obtain permission to copy or reprint materials beyond the parameters of the U.S. Copyright Laws. Reprint fees are typically required for such permission. However, these fees are not instituted for materials for nonprofit or educational purposes. Likewise, a fee will not be claimed of materials requested by the original author(s). 1 PHYLON The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture CONTENTS Volume 57 | 2 Letter From The President 3 George T. French, Jr., President, Clark Atlanta University Greetings 4 Jenny Jones, Dean, Whitney M. Young. Jr. School of Social Work Clark Atlanta University Preface to the Special Edition of Phylon on the History of Clark Atlanta University's 7 Whitney M. Young. Jr., School of Social Work 1920-2020 Alma J. Carten, New York University Celebrating 100 Years of Social Work At The Clark Atlanta University's 11 Whitney M. Young Jr. School Obie Clayton, Clark Atlanta University; Ruby Gourdine, Howard University; June Gary Hopps, University of Georgia The Atlanta School of Social Work and the Professionalization of "Race Work" 21 Jerome H. Schiele, Morgan State University; M. Sebrena Jackson, The University of Alabama Hope Arrives for Atlanta: Lugenia Burns Hope and the Role of Women in the Development of The Atlanta University School of Social Work 41 Obie Clayton, Clark Atlanta University; June Gary Hopps, University of Georgia Introducing Forrester Blanchard Washington: Transformative African American Social Work Leader 56 Frederica Barrow, University of the District of Columbia, Retired The Legacy of the Founding Social Work Programs at HBCUs: Social Justice, Altruism and Visioning for the Future 71 Ruby M. Gourdine, Howard University; Amber M. Davis, University of California-Davis; Heather Howard, Independent Scholar Three Pioneers at Clark Atlanta University: Their Impact on Dismantiling Racial Scaffolding 83 Johnnie Hamilton Mason, Simmons University; Nancy J. Wewiorski, Independent Consultant; Robbie W. C. Tourse, Boston College Living in an Age of Colorblind Racism and Police Impunity: An Analysis of Some High-Profile Police Killings 105 Bryan R. Ellis, Wayne State University; Nicole Branch-Ellis, Bowie State University 3 Letter From The President George T. French, Jr. President, Clark Atlanta University Greetings, It is an honor to welcome you to this special volume of Phylon: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture, written to celebrate 100 years of social work at Clark Atlanta University. I applaud the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work and the guest editors who solicited contributions from both faculty and alumni across the country to curate this celebratory volume of scholarship around both historical and contemporary social issues. The authors point out that some 100 years ago during Jim Crowism and pervasive racism, professional social work (in the South) was founded primarily here in the Atlanta University Center. The School of Social Work, since its inception, has always stood for justice, equality, and excellence. Values and traits that are still with us today. Some contributions to this volume are centered around the history and leadership of the school and the challenges which were faced. Others analyze the impact of the school’s focus on cultural sensitivity and an afro-centric curriculum designed to assist underserved communities and the social work profession. I hope that you find the contents of this volume as insightful and thought- provoking as I do. The authors have brought to life luminaries such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Lugenia Burns Hope, E. Franklin Frazier, and other leaders and scholars who paved our path, and in whom we will forever be indebted. As we move forward, it is incumbent upon current scholars and practitioners, as those included in this volume, to show us new ways to face the rising sun. Social work and other helping professions are in high demand to help overcome the problems now plaguing the country, i.e., the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people of color, perennial racism, and mental health challenges such as depression for many of our young people. These challenges provide great opportunities for both researchers and practitioners to collaborate to produce scholarship to help eradicate negative systemic issues in our country. As you read these articles remember that it was here, and at our sister institutions, where the desire and skills to help others in a compassionate and professional way was borne and advanced; yet, many of the figures discussed in these articles have not received their just rewards. As President of Clark Atlanta University, I believe this volume will help fill that void and I will do all that I can to see that their rich legacy is not forgotten. Sincerely, George T. French, Jr., Ph.D. 4 Phylon 57 Greetings Jenny Jones Dean, Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work Clark Atlanta University As we bring to a close our celebra- the unmet needs of Black Americans, tion honoring and remembering our 100 who at the time were living under the years of providing social work educa- rule of White Supremacy. Ironically, and tion to both the state and nation, I am disturbingly, the School is celebrating its pleased that the editors of this special centennial at a time when the country volume of Phylon requested me to give is experiencing a resurgence of various a few comments. It is both an honor and forms of racist behaviors, rooted in the pleasure to serve as the 13th Dean of notion of White privilege that created the Whitney M. Young, Jr School of So- the need for a School of social work for cial Work. The School holds the distinc- Black social workers a century ago. Rac- tion of being the oldest School of Social ism has been lurking just beneath the Work at an Historically Black College/ surface of reality, a reality that coddles University (HBCU) in the nation and in just enough but confirms its existence the world, and the first to be accredited with hurtful and striking blows of injus- in the state of Georgia There is a strong tice.