Diary of a Black Social Worker

Meet Shaina Cruea, mother, wife, small business owner and pole dancing champion. Shaina shares her journey of being a mother and caregiver for Drew, her two year old son, diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous tumor that arises in the soft tissue. Shaina shares the challenges, including the initial shock of Drew’s diagnosis, mom guilt, finding balance, practicing self care and tips for other warrior moms.

This episode features Black Yogi Blyss Buitrago. Blyss shares how she recognized the need within herself and BIPOC communities to heal and restore their souls from the impacts of deep seeded racial & ancestral trauma. During the pandemic, Blyss was moved by our community to reclaim our cultural herbal traditions and create equitable healing spaces for BIPOC offering meditation, body movement & herbal supports.

This episode features Stephanie Broadnax- Broussard, LCSW-S, ACHP_SW, Therapist, Motivational Speaker, and Educator. Stephanie focuses on helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of life transitions including difficult conversations surrounding end of life care and advanced care planning. Stephanie is passionate about meeting her patients where they are, providing education and guidance towards living a purposeful life. Thank you Stephanie for your contributions to your community, your patients and your fellow social work colleagues.

This episode features Dr. Brittany Nwachuku. She is an Assistant Professor of Social Work, Director of Field Education, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Oncology Social Workers. Dr. Nwachuku shares her experience of growing up in a family of social workers and her dream as a little girl to be a tenured Professor. She shares the challenges of being a woman of color in academia and gives words of wisdom to social workers contemplating a career in academia and oncology social work. Thank you for your contributions to your community, your students and your fellow social work colleagues. Happy Social Work Month to Dr. Nwachuku!

Racial micro aggressions are ever present in the workplace. Black people, especially black women often suffer the brunt of these harmful practices. In this episode I share my experiences and coping strategies for how to cope and support black colleagues managing these difficult situation.

The final episode of the five part series ends with Quan describing his release from prison and the challenges he faces navigating a post prison world.

Quan shares his experience of pursuing his undergraduate and graduate education while being incarcerated; outlining the process of parole. He shares his fears and the overwhelming anxiety he experienced while awaiting the Parole Boards decision.

Dr Fritz is a Black Anesthesiologist. She discusses her decision to get the vaccination and how she hopes it will benefit patients and her community. We also discuss the complex reasons behind minority suspicions and “vaccination shaming” from colleagues and the community.

Quan shares his experience of life behind bars, prison codes of conduct, and the acts of kindness prisoners offer each other during times of grief. He also shares the value of in person visitations and the challenges of raising a family behind bars.

Mr. Lawes continues his story about his incarceration, hearing the shock of the verdict and the parallels between slavery and the prison system.