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The Transformation to Triumph Women’s Summit, held February 27–March 1, 2026, convened professionals, students, and community leaders at Howard University and The Gathering Spot DC in response to widespread layoffs affecting Black women. The three-day hybrid event featured sessions on civic engagement, personal branding, financial identity, leadership, contracting, and global networking. School of Social Work representatives played a central role, including welcome remarks from Dean Sheara Jennings and presentations by alumni, faculty, and students.

Graduate students from the Howard University School of Social Work travel to Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the School’s International Service-Learning Program, now in its 15th year. During the 10-day experience, students worked with local partner organizations gaining hands-on experience while learning about the history and continuing effects of apartheid. Participants also visit significant cultural and historical sites, including Robben Island and the District Six Museum, to deepen their understanding of power, privilege, and social inequities. The trip fosters global perspectives on social work practice and community engagement, reinforcing Howard’s mission of Truth and Service beyond borders

We’re proud to highlight Associate Professor Dr. Tracy R. Whitaker, DSW, on the publication of her new book, Transformational Empathy: Erasing the Space Between Us and Them. This new work invites social workers to reflect, reconnect, and rethink how we serve individuals and communities. 

The Howard University School of Social Work announces the forthcoming retirement of Dr. Janice M. Davis, Director of Clinical Education and the Office of Agency-Based Education, effective March 2, 2026. A proud HUSSW alumna, Dr. Davis has devoted nearly 30 years to advancing the school’s mission and leading clinical education to further prepare future social work professionals.

Howard University School of Social Work hosted a virtual alumni-led discussion examining gentrification in Washington, DC through the framework of the Black Perspective. Panelists explored the historical roots of displacement, housing instability, and cultural erasure, emphasizing gentrification as a justice issue shaped by policy choices. The session highlighted the need for structural change, civic engagement, and sustained advocacy to advance housing equity and protect Black communities.

The SSWR Annual Conference brings together leading scholars and practitioners for more than 500 symposia, workshops, and presentations highlighting cutting-edge research methods and critical issues in social work. Howard University School of Social Work is proud to be among the institutions represented at SSWR 2026, contributing scholarship that advances the Black Perspective, interrogates structural inequities, amplifies underrepresented communities, and informs innovative policy and practice. This year, our faculty and doctoral students will present across premier sessions, including special interest groups, policy forums, and research presentations.