Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Events

October 27, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

The journey to dismantle racism has not ended. Join us to build community collaboration and continue the conversation about anti-racist practice. We invite all members of our school community to attend meetings.

Please RSVP. A Zoom Link will be sent out the day of the event.

RSVP here »

We are also meeting on the following dates:

Thursday, November 17, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Thursday, December 8, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

October 22, 2022 - 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM ET

Building Power is a student led conference that provides attendees with the opportunity to learn about interconnected injustices and engage in collective liberation.

This year's conference includes workshops and affinity group sessions on, but not limited to: environmental justice; food and land sovereignty; and housing disenfranchisement. The goal of this event is to create a space to strengthen community ties and mutual aid projects, as well as to supply attendees with the toolkit needed to partake in more sustainable and self sufficient practices in both their activism and personal life. Our keynote speaker will be Mama Shu, founder of an up and coming eco-village in Highland Park, Michigan. 

The conference will be held on October 22 of this year from 10am-5:30pm at the School of Social Work. Food and Drinks will be provided. Attendance is open to all and we have the opportunity for students and staff to volunteer!

October 20, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM ET

This discussion is co-sponsored by the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy's Poverty Solutions.

From the cash bail system, to fines and fees while incarcerated, to the cost of reentering society, our society functions on a punitive system of fines and fees that often catapults those already experiencing hardship into a spiraling cycle of debt and repayments - never fully able to catch up. Join us as we explore the inequity surrounding fines and fees in our criminal justice system and its role in increasing race-based disparities. Featured panelists include Washtenaw County Prosecutors Eli Savit and Victoria Burton-Harris; and Dr. Meghan O’ Neil, Research Scholar at the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research. This panel will be facilitated by MSW Student and Co-founder of Michigan Liberation, Nicholas Buckingham.

Event Recording

October 6, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is very pleased to announce that we will be recognizing individuals and organizations who have demonstrated commitment to improving the culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the School of Social Work; in the U-M campus; and in our surrounding communities throughout the State of Michigan. We will celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of this year's nominees, as well as introduce elements of the DEI 2.0 strategic planning process.

This year, the DEI Office is pleased to announce the following nominees for the DEI Impact Awards:

Professor Leo Kattari, Leo Lecturer 1

Professor Prem Pahwa, SHCP Director and Adjunct Leo Lecturer

Black Radical Healing Pathways, SSW Student Organization

We are so very excited to convene in community with you all!

Register here »

September 30, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

Join the SSW Book Club to discuss Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha's important book, What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.

We welcome new participants.

September 29, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

The journey to dismantle racism has not ended. Join us to build community collaboration and continue the conversation about anti-racist practice. We invite all members of our school community to attend meetings.

Please RSVP. A Zoom Link will be sent out the day of the event.

RSVP here »

We are also meeting on the following dates:

Thursday, October 27, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Thursday, November 17, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Thursday, December 8, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

September 22, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM ET

Police violence against Black bodies rightfully has forced society to look more closely at our policing and public safety practices. The #BlackLivesMatter movement has highlighted the racist origins of policing in this country, and how excessive use of force often targets Black people with deadly results. Disproportionately, police are forced to respond to social, economic, mental/physical health emergencies. Today, community leaders and elected officials are working together to “reimagine our public safety,” by creating, for example, “unarmed crisis response teams” who work alongside police departments. What is the role of social workers in this “reimagined” public safety system? Does our involvement violate any of the professional standards in our NASW Code of Ethics? Join us to hear from an array of panelists working on this issue in communities, including Assistant Professor at UM Social Work, Daicia Price; Chair of the Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC), Dr. Lisa Jackson, Senior Pastor of Vineyard Church Ann Arbor, and member of the Coalition for Re-envisioning our Safety (CORS), Donnell Wyche.

Event Recording

September 13, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

Visit DEI to meet Larry Gant (Director of DEI), and Dillon Cathro (Program Manager of DEI). The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was established in January 2017 to implement the School of Social Work’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic plan. The focus is on helping our SSW community improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with our social work heritage, as expressed in our vision, mission, and goals. Our plan and office are focused on our entire School of Social Work community. We welcome student participation in our DEI activities and also serve as a welcoming space to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion topics.

Undoing Racism is a collective of students, staff, and faculty dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels while building a collective community to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive School of Social Work.

September 8, 2022 - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET

The DEI Offices in the School of Social Work and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) are collaborating to host a small scale student organization fair, in which we will invite organizations whose programming focuses on historically marginalized populations.  Student orgs will have the chance to showcase the events and activities they offer to potentially interested students, in order to onboard new members into their ranks at the beginning of the semester.  Moreover, this event will also serve as an opportunity for student orgs to form interdisciplinary relationships and partnerships, in the hopes that they work together on common causes that impact their membership/the greater student body in their respective schools, by joining the Common Roots Committee.

RSVP here

April 28, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism Workgroup

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held monthly on the last Thursday of the month from 12-2pm. All members of our school community are invited to attend.

Upcoming Meetings:

April 28th, 2022

May 26th, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

RSVP here »

March 25, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

The SSW Book Club will meet at noon via Zoom to discuss Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

Zoom link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/95345939940   Be sure to use your umich email and SSO authentication.

You are welcome to join our conversation, whether or not you have come before, and whether or not you finished the book.

March 24, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism Workgroup

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held monthly on the last Thursday of the month from 12-2pm. All members of our school community are invited to attend.

Upcoming Meetings:

March 24th, 2022

April 28th, 2022

May 26th, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

RSVP here »

February 24, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held monthly on the last Thursday of the month from 12-2pm. All members of our school community are invited to attend.

Upcoming Meetings:

February 24, 2022

March 24, 2022

April 28, 2022

May 26, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

RSVP Here »

February 7, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

The SSW Book Club will meet at noon via Zoom to discuss Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America by Marcia Chatelain.

Zoom link:  https://umich.zoom.us/j/93465756280
Be sure to use your umich email and SSO authentication.

You are welcome to join our conversation, whether or not you have come before, and whether or not you finished the book.

January 27, 2022 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held monthly on the last Thursday of the month from 12-2pm. All members of our school community are invited to attend.

January 27, 2022

February 24, 2022

March 24, 2022

April 28, 2022

May 26, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

RSVP here »

December 9, 2021 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month from 12-2pm (with some exceptions). All members of our school community are invited to attend.

A Zoom link will be sent out the day of the event to all those who RSVP.

RSVP »

November 18, 2021 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month from 12-2pm (with some exceptions). All members of our school community are invited to attend.

A Zoom link will be sent out the day of the event to all those who RSVP.

RSVP »

October 14, 2021 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month from 12-2pm (with some exceptions). All members of our school community are invited to attend.

A Zoom link will be sent out the day of the event to all those who RSVP.

RSVP »

September 30, 2021 - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET

Undoing Racism is a community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the School of Social Work dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels.

This workgroup was established in 2019 after students, staff, and faculty took part in the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism© workshops. Since then, the Undoing Racism workgroup has been working to implement the People’s Institute anti-racist community organizing model – recognizing that community organizing within our school is critical to move toward an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program to bring along all members of the community.

The Undoing Racism workgroup also emphasizes the role that white members of our community must take on to dismantle and undo white supremacist structures that benefit and maintain power for white people. Our work has largely been focused on building collective community – a fundamental step in the People’s Institute organizing model. Our dialogue and strategic planning to advance towards an anti-racist and anti-oppressive program and school community must begin with building relationships and strengthening community bonds to engage in internal and external anti-racism work.

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month from 12-2pm (with some exceptions). All members of our school community are invited to attend.

A Zoom link will be sent out the day of the event to all those who RSVP.

RSVP »

August 23, 2021 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

The SSW Book Club will meet via Zoom to discuss My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://umich.zoom.us/j/96921685804

Be sure to use your umich email and SSO authentication.

The ebook is available through the U-M Library.

You are welcome to join our conversation, whether or not you have come before, and whether or not you finished the book.

August 4, 2021 - 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET

In this webinar, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Director Larry Gant and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assistant Director, Lauren Davis will share information about current DEI initiatives and ways incoming students can get involved in these efforts in the School of Social Work. Students are encouraged to send in questions during the session.

The session will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. RSVP for the session to receive a link to the recording.

Click here to view recording »

July 10, 2021 - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET

Tentatively rescheduled from 6/25/21 to 7/10/21

The Queer Advocacy Coalition, in collaboration with Rackham Graduate School, The Spectrum Center, and other LGBTQIA+ student organizations at the University of Michigan are hosting a Pride and Sexual Health and Wellness Event! There will be performances from local LGBTQIA+ artists and drag performers, as well as interactive tables from campus and local organizations, educational opportunities about LGBTQIA+ safe sex practices, and a mobile STI testing unit through MIUnified. There will be games and photo opportunities, so grab your friends or family and come out to celebrate! 

Learn More

May 26, 2021 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

The SSW Book Club will meet at noon via Zoom to discuss Reuben Miller's new book, Halfway Home: Race, Punishment and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration.

Zoom link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/96328070299
Passcode: MillerBook

All members of the SSW community are invited. Use your umich Zoom account to join. (If needed, contact 4-HELP for help with SSO authentication: 734-764-4357)