Category: Cross Cultural, Social Justice Category: Cross Cultural, Social Justice (show less)

Given the plight, socioeconomic status, and scarcity of research on Black/African American men within the social work profession, there is a need for greater understanding, knowledge development, and skills acquisition for social work professionals working with this population. Using the Trayvon Martin court case and its aftermath, the presenter will discuss implications for engagement, interventions, and research with African American males. Within a historical and contemporary context, a racism-centered perspective is examined in order for participants to better understand how stigma, bias and injustice are often a part of the life course for Black males, and how such factors affect the social service intervention process with this population. The following objectives will be achieved during this presentation:
 
1.       Provide an overview of the socioeconomic status of Black men in the United States.
2.       Highlight conceptual and theoretical approaches to social work practice with African American males.  
3.       Examine research findings on social work intervention with African American males
4.       Discuss knowledge and skills needed for social work intervention with Black males.