National Association of Black Social Workers Office of Student Affairs: Ujima Community Garden, New Orleans LA

About OSA

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is committed to motivating, educating and communicating with student chapters of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. (NABSW) and their advisors.

OSA guides students in creating and maintaining successful student chapters that are socially responsible and reflective of the mission of the NABSW. Our office provides leadership, support and direction relevant to student needs, challenges, programs, retention of student chapters and members, and fundraising.

We assist in enabling students to raise each other to higher levels of motivation and accomplishment. The success of OSA is partly dependent upon active involvement of all student chapters.

NABSW's Mission

The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., comprised of people of African ancestry, is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research.
The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. will work to create a world in which people of African ancestry will live free from racial domination, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression. In collaboration with national, international, and other appropriate groups, NABSW will continue to leverage its collective expertise to strategically develop capacity of people of African ancestry to sustain and flourish. NABSW’s vision is guided by the Principles of the Nguzo Saba, which are Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith, and the Seven Cardinal Virtues of Ma’at, which are Right, Truth, Justice, Order, Reciprocity, Balance, and Harmony.

About our President

Glenda

... is a pursing her Master of Social Work at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Work at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. She is an active member in the University of Houston chapter of ABSW. During her tenure at PVAMU she was a member of the Social Work action club, along with several other student organizations on campus. After attending her first NABSW conference in April 2010, she became overwhelmed with joy at the knowledgeable and scholarly leaders that were in attendance at the conference. From that point on she became involved in the Office of Student Affairs and was elected as Treasure for 2010-2011.

Glenda has a love for helping people and being involved in the community. She has worked in several different areas of social work dealing with at risk college freshman, sexually abused children, and victims of domestic violence. She is dedicated to becoming a political advocate for social welfare. Especially, to advocate for individuals and communities who’s voice has gone unheard, and are in need of revival. She has previously interned for the Harris County District Attorney Office, and the YMCA-Greater Houston. Glenda continues to follow her ambitions, knowing that no challenge is too hard to overcome. With that in mind she is ready to serve the National Association of Black Social Worker and the Office of Student Affairs.

About Our Vice President

Michael

Michael Riley is both a loving husband and father. He is a non-traditional undergraduate senior at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work. Michael transferred from J. Sargeant Reynolds community College with an Associate of Science Degree in Social Science earning a 3.723 GPA. He stated, “being a non-traditional student can be difficult especially with the additional responsibilities of family life and financial responsibilities but nothing worth having comes without a price.”

Michael is currently completing the requirements for dual degrees in Social Work and Psychology and was recently licensed as a Minister. Upon graduation, Michael will begin graduate studies at VCU in their highly selective Advance Standing Program to earn his Master of Social Work degree. “People are composed of mind, body and spirit and I believe that a holistic approach to helping people is important.”

Serving is nothing new to Michael. At a young age, he joined the U. S. Marine Corps. While serving his country and fellow man, he was injured and eventually honorably discharged.

I chose to become a social worker because of the NASW core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. The social work profession focuses on meeting the person where he or she is to help them reach a place of optimal social functioning.

Michael has held executive officer positions in several organizations and received multiple scholarships, service and leadership awards.

One of Michael’s guiding scriptures is Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) it reads: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”.

His favorite quote is: "The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. It is obvious that man is himself a traveler; that the purpose of this world is not "to have and to hold" but "to give and serve.".. There can be no other meaning."- Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell

About our Secretary

Zakia

Zakia Pugh is currently a second year student at Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and will obtain her Master’s in Social Services and a Master’s of Law and Social Policy. She holds her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from West Chester University as well as a Masters in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. In the fall of 2010 she joined Bryn Mawr College ABSW chapter and began serving as secretary.

Zakia was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. Zakia has a passion for youth and elderly populations, two areas which she does volunteer work that includes mentoring youth, coordinating support for elders in her community and church to assist in daily living needs such as getting out to doctors, grocery stores, and out to vote. Zakia along with her two sons also volunteer with their church to feed the homeless.

When Zakia finds down time, she loves to spend time with her family trying new adventures and working in her garden. Her mantra is: Don’t Dwell on things for too long… Always remember “what God has for me, is for me.”

About Our Treasurer

Michelle

The 2011-2012 OSA Treasurer, Michelle C. Bair, is a 2012 BSW candidate at Virginia State University located in Petersburg, Virginia. As a dual major, Ms. Bair recently completed her coursework and research toward a Bachelor of Individualized Studies with a specialization in Diversity and Multiculturalism in Education.

Ms. Bair was responsible for reinstating Virginia State University’s ABSW chapter and is currently in her second term as its President. She is also very active in the school’s campus-based Social Work Club which promotes the core values of the profession through social justice and community service to its student body in addition to its surrounding community. As a recent inductee in the Phi Alpha Honor Society, she hopes to increase the chapter’s membership by promoting the importance of scholarship to her fellow classmates.

Outside of her coursework and campus activities, Ms. Bair serves as the Assistant to the Director of Admissions and Diversity at an independent middle school for girls in the Richmond area. This work is what prompted Michelle to focus on her specialization as she is a huge advocate for equal educational rights and access for all students. Her senior research is based on the U.S. education crisis and the importance of decreasing and eliminating the current achievement gaps that exist. Another one of Michelle’s areas of interest is homelessness. She spends numerous hours volunteering with local agencies that service this population in various measures.

Ms. Bair is very active in the day-to day activities of her two daughters, Jordyn and Camryn. Her love for sports and competition is utilized while serving as a volunteer coach for various athletic teams her daughters participate on in addition to being active on both of their schools’ parent organizations. She is very thankful for the support of her family, especially her children and her partner, as she continues to grow and develop into a professional social worker.

About our Parlimentarian

Lavena

... is from Kansas City, Mo. Lavena graduated from Missouri Valley College (Marshall, MO) with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Lavena has been a member of the MO-KS ABSW chapter since 2009.

Lavena continues to work within her community as a case manager serving underprivileged youth and young adults ranging in ages from 6-25 years of age. Lavena is an active member with her church, where she sings in the choir and mentor young girls. Lavena has a passion for offering solution and enlightenment to issues that plague our African American Communities and hopes to awaken others to our needs through her work with OSA.

In her spare time, Lavena loves to spend time vacationing with husband, enjoying the company of family and friends, and going shopping. Her Mantra is: “When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”

About Our Advisor

Advisor Brown

...Tameka Brown is a graduate of Benedict College and the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees respectively.

Tameka worked for the federal government as a medical social worker for seven years. During that time she received many awards to include: Outstanding Performance during high profile inspections, Outstanding Social Work Performance and Team VA award for superior performance during the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

During her tenure at the VA Medical Center she provided crisis debriefing to medical personnel receiving Hurricane Katrina victims at the Atlanta Naval Base.

Tameka is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and received the New Agent Award her first year in real estate; she had over 1.2 million in sales and secured a contract for the development of a new community.

Tameka is currently employed at Benedict College where she has served as an Adjunct Professor, Instructor, and Assistant Director of Service-Learning and Leadership Development. She currently serves as the Director of the Advising Center.

Tameka has also served as the Advisor of the student chapter of the Association of Black Social Workers and is a member of Phi Alpha Social Work Honor’s Society. Tameka is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. where she has served as the President of both her Undergraduate Chapter (Kappa Beta) and Graduate Chapter (Rho Kappa Zeta).

She has also served as the SC State Youth Coordinator and member of the National Boule’ Planning Committee.

She is the immediate past Advisor to Zeta Tau Undergraduate chapter and is the 1^st Vice President of Rho Kappa Zeta chapter. Tameka is the co-captain of the Alley Cats, a team in the U.S. Tennis Association League. Tameka is active in her church and serves as a teen Sunday School Teacher, a member of the choir and praise team and the Coordinator of the Young Adult Ministry.

Tameka enjoys reading, cooking, shopping, traveling and participating in community service projects.

National Association of Black Social Workers Office of Student Affairs

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Ujima Community Garden, New Orleans LA

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41st Annual Conference Highlights