The significance of African-centered social work for social work practice

TLDR

African-centered theory is needed to address factors affecting the African Diasporic community, yet scholarship on this perspective is scarce, prompting the creation of a dedicated academy. The issue seeks to disseminate philosophical and conceptual insights on African-centered social work and broaden its influence in practice, education, and research. The issue introduces an intercommunicative and inter‑educational platform to disseminate African-centered approaches to the wider social work community. The introduction outlines African-centered social work, its empirical foundation, and stresses the need for further research and practice.

Abstract

In order to respond to concomitant factors that impact members of the extensive African Diasporic community, African-centered theory/Afrocentricity warrants elevation in the social work literature and scientific inquiry. In preparing for this special journal issue, the editors recognized the dearth of scholarship advancing this critical perspective in social work. This special issue provides information on both philosophical and conceptual thinking about African-centered social work to respond to the current challenges facing these communities. The only academic social work entity entirely devoted to furthering African-centered pedagogy is the Academy for African-centered Social Work of the National Association of Black Social Workers. A primary goal of the Academy is to expand the influence and institutionalization of African-centered social work practice, education, and research. This special issue launches another intercommunicative and inter-educational medium of approaches of this theory to the broader social work community. This introduction provides an overview of African-centered social work, discusses its empirical base, and projects the importance of further examination in the academic literature and practice community.