New Leaders in African-Centered Social Work Scholars Program

Focusing on Culturally-Responsive Social Work Practice in and with Black/African American Communities

The University of Michigan School of Social Work is pleased to offer the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work (NLACSW) Scholars Program for on-campus MSW students. The NLACSW Scholars Program enhances practice preparation by engaging students in culturally-specific and affirmative curricular and training experiences for service to Black/African Americans.

The NLACSW program will accept incoming on-campus MSW students who are genuinely committed to gaining skills and knowledge for culturally-responsive social work practice in and with Black/African American communities. This program is open to students in all pathways.

NLACSW Program Funding

  • $6,000 per term (3 terms for 12-month / 4 terms for 16-month students)

Specialized Courses

Scholars are required to enroll in the following specialized courses:

  • An Afrocentric Approach to Practice w/ African Amer/Black Indiv., Families & Communities
  • Prevention and Intervention Strategies with Racial Microaggressions

Program Requirements

  • Enroll as a full-time On-Campus MSW student in the 16-month or 12-month (Advanced Standing, U-M Community Action and Social Change & SW, UM-Dearborn Human Services & SW, U-M Sociology & SW, MasterTrack MSW, or SW Essentials MSW) curriculum.
  • Select any pathway and complete all pathway requirements.
  • Complete specified NLACSW required coursework.
  • Agree to accept a field placement in an organization or agency that focuses on addressing issues/topics that affect Black/African American populations.
  • Participate in formal and informal extracurricular cohort activities and supportive cohort consultation monthly meetings.
  • Commitment to delivering culturally responsive practice with Black/African American individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities as a professional.
  • Due to course and field requirements, dual MSW/MPH students are not eligible to participate in this program.

Application

  • All potential On-Campus MSW students interested in culturally-responsive social work practice in and with Black/African American communities are encouraged to apply.
  • Application deadlines: December 1, 2025 (early application), February 1, 2026 (priority), March 1, 2026 (final). The final deadline has not been set and will be posted at a later date. Selection of applicants will be made from all dates with priority given to those applicants that meet the December and February deadlines.
  • Deferred admits planning to enroll in fall 2026 must submit their special program application by November 1, 2025.
  • Financial need will be considered in the review of special program applications.
  • Your MSW application must be complete by the scholarship deadline.
  • If you would like to apply for the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work Scholars Program, then please answer "yes" to the question, "Do you plan to apply to an SSW Special Program?" found on the Financial Assistance page of the MSW application and select the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work Program checkbox. The NLACSW application pages will be added to the end of your MSW application.
  • Be sure to include your name and "NLACSW Program Statement" in the upper corner of your statement before you upload it to your application.

For more information on the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work Program, contact Trina Shanks at [email protected].

Building on Black/African Traditions to Better Serve the Community

Michigan Social Work’s New Leaders in African-Centered Social Work (NLACSW) Scholars Program is designed to help MSW students develop the skills and training necessary to build culturally-responsive social work practices in and with Black/African American communities. The program was inspired by Michigan Social Work’s 30-year affiliation with the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), which began with the late Howard V. Brabson, a former president of NABSW and Associate Professor Emeritus of Social Work. 

In 2015, Associate Professor Emerita of Social Work Leslie Hollingsworth looked to build on this legacy by creating a course of study that is culturally specific and affirmative. “We work to serve from a place of understanding,” says Admissions Coordinator Nyshourn Price. “The more you have a background and history of a people, the better you can can give and serve.”

Each year, the NLACSW program accepts a cohort of eight students who are dedicated to working within these communities. Students can choose from all pathways. “Anyone interested in working with Black/African American communities is welcome in this program, and anyone working within these fields should have a culturally rich toolbox - we want to give you the tools,” says Price.

The program receives support and guidance from an active community board; monthly cohort meetings and special events enrich students’ experience. In October of 2018, the program hosted a two-day visit from Dr. Aminifu Harvey, a pioneer in bringing Africentric theory to the field of social work. His visit included a reception, small dinner and public discussion, where he used traditional methods such as storytelling to discuss the history, legacy and descendancy of the diverse cultural issues affecting Black/African-American communities through a social work lens.