MISSION VISION & VALUES
Mission
Creating a space for the engagement, recovery, and development of resilient Black Social Workers that that will position them to assume leadership roles towards uplifting Black communities. We aim to:
- Apply critical approaches to interrogate intellectual, social, and political spheres
- Identify & remedy the harm caused to Black Social Workers by systems of oppression
- Engage academic, government, and non-government systems to the forefront of issues relevant to members of Black communities
- Host conferences and networking sessions tothat will centre current Evidence-BasedEvidence Based Research and issues of relevance to the Black Community.
- Conduct community-based research and advocacy
Vision
At Umoja Black Social Workers Association, we envision a future where Black communities thrive, free from systemic barriers and health inequities. We are dedicated to empowering Black social workers to be leaders in advocating for equitable solutions and policies that address the unique challenges of Black Canadians. By fostering collaboration and utilizing our lived experiences, we aim to be a catalyst for change, ensuring that the voices of Black social workers significantly impact the upliftment and support of Black communities across Canada and beyond. Our vision is a society where every individual has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, supported by a foundation of unity, advocacy, and resilience.
Values
- Racial and Social Justice: Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equitable access to economic, political and social rights and opportunities regardless of their social location. Racial justice assures the systematic and just treatment of people regardless of their racial or intersecting identities, resulting in equity of opportunity. Racial justice is not just antiracism, but the presence of systems and supports designed to proactively achieve and sustain racial equity and prevent further acts of racial discrimination.
- African Centeredness is rooted in the collective interest of people of African descent (Black people) and positions their life experiences, history and traditions at the center of our responses to advocacy and social justice. African centeredness recognizes the unique contributions, strengths and capacity of Black people to foster community healing and advance social change.
- Healing is the process of recovery of the soul, body and lives of the individual and the diasporic Black people. Healing includes the impact of individual, systemic and historical trauma that impacts our lives. BSWA will endeavour to build resilience in solidarity with individuals and the Black community through networking events, research and advocacy.
- Integrity is the practice of being grounded and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. As a representative of the BSWA, you are committed to upholding the goal of integrity of this committee both as a representative and by way of communication in any form.
- Partnership is defined as an association or relationship between two or more individuals, corporations, trusts, or partnerships that join together to carry on a trade or business. In the context of the BSWA, a partnership is formed between the association, its members and the larger Black community. Furthermore, the BSWA will endeavour to seek out and establish strategic partnerships with the purpose in mind to advance the association and Black community.
- Accountability is the quality or state of being accountable; especially an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. The BSWA Board of Directors has a fundamental, legal responsibility to provide oversight and accountability for the association. Each member of the association has a responsibility to attend meetings, serve on committee(s), be knowledgeable about the BSWA. The BSWA as a whole, and its individual members are therefore accountable to each other as well as the Black communities that we support