Social Work Policy Institute and Racial Equity

In May 2014, the NASW's Social Work Policy Institute released a report from a think tank symposium named Achieving Racial Equity: Calling the Social Work Profession to Action. The report defines color-blind racism, how to undo racism, and provides examples of schools, programs and organizations that engage in anti-racist efforts. It is followed by guidelines on achieving racial equity and developing an action agenda.

Below is the official synopsis from NASW:

A think tank symposium, Achieving Racial Equity: Calling the Social Work Profession to Action , was convened under the auspices of the NASW Social Work Policy Institute (SWPI) on November 17-18, 2013 in Washington, DC. The interdisciplinary group of participants, including social work stakeholders and race equity experts, worked together to more fully understand the roots and manifestations of institutional and structural racism; and to identify principles, practices, and analysis that can be effective for undoing institutional and structural racism. The Action Brief highlights the strategic actions and targeted recommendations that were developed to move this important work to address the many manifestations of institutional and structural racism forward. The full report includes summaries of all of the presentations, the recommendations, biographies of the speakers and an appendix with useful resources that can be helpful in undertaking efforts in agencies, in professions and in communities to address institutional racism.