Howard University School of Social Work Hosts Grand Challenges for Social Work Festival of Ideas

The Howard University School of Social Work proudly hosted the Grand Challenges for Social Work Festival of Ideas and Anniversary Dinner on January 14, 2025. Centered on the theme, “From Evidence to Action: Mobilizing Community Change,” the event convened scholars, practitioners, students, and community leaders for an open forum of dialogue and exchange across Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW) networks. Conversations explored social work’s role in addressing society’s most pressing issues and generating forward-thinking ideas to shape the future of research, education, practice, policy, and community-based efforts.

Dean Sheara Jennings offered welcome remarks and greetings, setting the tone for a day grounded in scholarship, service,

 and collective impact. Dr. Sandra Edmonds Crewe contributed to the panel discussion, “Human Stories Spotlight: Voices from Across GCSW Research, Practice, and Education,” highlighting the power of lived experience and evidence-informed solutions in advancing meaningful change.

Dr. Cosby also invited members of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to share their powerful stories during the Human Stories Spotlight panel. Their reflections underscored the interconnected challenges facing families and communities, including the criminal justice system, gun violence, and opioid addiction. These firsthand accounts reinforced the urgency of mobilizing research and practice to respond compassionately and effectively.

The Grand Challenges for Social Work, Inc. has identified fourteen Grand Challenges impacting communities nationwide. Through collaborative initiatives led by the Gerontology Center at the Howard University School of Social Work and under the leadership of Dr. Robert Cosby, efforts are advancing strategies that support older adults in becoming more actively engaged in their communities. These community engagement initiatives emphasize prevention and healing in neighborhoods affected by the opioid epidemic, gun violence, and workforce development gaps among young adults, strengthening pathways to opportunity and intergenerational well-being.

Together, the Festival of Ideas and Anniversary Dinner reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to transforming research into action and dialogue into measurable impact. By centering community voice, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and elevating solutions grounded in both evidence and lived experience, the Howard University School of Social Work continues to lead in addressing the nation’s most urgent challenges. As the Grand Challenges movement moves forward, Howard University School of Social Work remains dedicated to mobilizing partnerships, strengthening families, and empowering communities—ensuring that social work not only responds to change, but helps shape a more equitable future for all.

To learn more about the Grand Challenges of Social Work visit- https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/about/