Dr. Terrence O. LewisPhD

Associate Professor

T.O.Lewis

Email: terrence.lewis@dal.ca
Phone: 902-494-6785
Mailing Address: 
Room 3243, Mona Campbell Building
 
Research Topics:
  • Multi-culturally responsive social work practice
  • Spiritually sensitive social work practice
  • Mental Health and Sexual Health in 2SLGBTQ+ communities of color
  • Roles of religion and spirituality in the holistic health of 2SLGBTQ+ communities of color

Education

2012 Doctor of Philosophy
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Social Work and Sociology Boston University
Dissertation: The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America

1998 Masters of Social Work (with Honors)

Advanced Standing
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

1989-1993 Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Pi Gamma Mu
Catholic University of America
Washington, D.C.
    

Biography

Dr. Terrence O. Lewis is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator at the Dalhousie University School of Social Work. He has clinical practice experience with individuals, families, and groups in community mental health and private practice settings in the United States. As a researcher, he has focused on the relationships between churches and marginalized populations, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ and African-American communities. His dissertation research was on the Phenomenon of LGBT-Affirming Black Churches and Their Responses to the HIV/AIDS Crisis. Dr. Lewis’ most recent completed research project was a narrative interview study with African-American pastors who have offered an affirmative ministry. The study was funded by the 2018 Louisville Institute Project Grant for Researchers. Currently, Dr. Lewis is the Co-Director of a community-based participatory action research project with Dr. Nancy Ross and Afolake Awoyiga. The project is titled ‘Moving forward together: Unsettling racism, silence and violence in health and social services’. The study has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). As an educator, Dr. Lewis has focused on developing curricula that prepare students for culturally-responsive critical social work practice. In Nova Scotia, Dr. Lewis has committed to serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ and African Nova Scotian communities through community practice, research, and education.

https://terrenceolewis.com

 

Competitive Fellowships, Grants, and Honors

  • 2022 Project Co-Director. Moving forward together: Unsettling racism, silence and violence in health and social services. Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative (SSHRC). Project Director is Nancy Ross, PhD, MSW.
    Approved Funding: $450,000 for 3 years.

  • 2022 President’s Legacy Award for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA): School of Social Work Diversity & Equity Committee, Group Faculty/Staff category

  • 2021-Present Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF) Grant
    Dalhousie awarded the grant for a 3-year pilot program for the BIPOC Graduate Students Mentoring Academy. The funding includes matching funds from university administrative and academic units. Approved Funding: $99,999 (SIF) + $211,500 = $311,499  for 3 years.

  • 2021 President’s Legacy Award for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA): Dalhousie Anti-Racism Action Team (ARAT) - Faculty/Staff Group Award Category

  • 2019-2021 Faculty of Health Research Establishment Grant. Approved Funding: $15,000.00

  • 2018 Principal Researcher.  LGBT Affirmative Ministries in African-AmericanCommunities. Louisville Institute 2018 - 2019 Project Grant for Researchers Approved Funding:  $18,602.00

  • 2018 Spotlight on Research Honoree from Pennsylvania State Senate and WCU

  • 2017 College of Education and Social Work Professional Development Award

  • 2014 Provost’s Award for Academic Planning and Strategic Investments

  • 2010 Boston University School of Social Work Dissertation Fellowship Award Approved Funding: $10,000.00

  • 2006-2009 Council on Social Work Education & Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Minority Fellowship Program

Competitive Grants Submitted for Review:

  • 2021 #NSStrong, Iron Sharpens Iron. Intergenerational Collaborations to End Family Violence. Submitted to Public Health Agency of Canada for the ‘Preventing and Addressing Family Violence: The Health Perspective’ Project Grant. Budget Request: $600K for a 4-year community-based early intervention program. - Not Funded. Project team is planning to submit for other grants.

Teaching Expererience

2019-Present
Associate Professor
, School of Social Work, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

  • Accepted tenured Associate Professor appointment in July 2019
  • Serving as Chair / Undergraduate Coordinator of BSW Program since Fall 2020.
  • Teaching courses in the Bachelor and Master of Social Work programs: a.) Advanced Social Work Practice, b.) Critical Perspectives on Social Work Theories and Practices c.) Social Work Theory for Critical Practice
  • Teaching in the on-campus BSW program and the online MSW program.
  • Conducting independent research projects.
  • Developing research projects in collaboration with the Resilience Research Centre.
  • Serving on SSW-level committees (BSW Committee, Diversity and Equity Committee, Faculty Council, Tenure and Re-Appointment, and the Committee of the School)
  • Serving on University-level committees (Building Safer Spaces for All Students Planning Committee, Anti-Racism Action Team, the Black Faculty & Staff Caucus, Faculty of Health Academic Review Committee, Pan-University Committees for EDI)
  • Serving on Thesis and Dissertation Committees for Faculty of Health Graduate Students.
  • Serving on the Africentric Social Work Cohort Committee. The pilot program launched in Fall 2022 with the first cohort enrollment in September 2023.
  • Serving on Executive Team of BIPOC Graduate Students Mentoring Academy. Approved SIF Grant program. Program launched August 2021.
  • Serving on the Healthy Populations Institute Flagship Project: Improving the Health Outcomes of People of African Descent.

2014-2019
Assistant / Associate Professor, Graduate Department of Social Work, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA.

  • Earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in May 2018
  • Lead Faculty for Foundation Year Social Work  Practice and Field Practicum Courses
  • Taught other courses: a.) Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation, b.) Mental Health – A Recovery Approach, and c.) Advanced Practice with Families
  • Developed and taught a new course elective: Spirituality and Religion in Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice
  • Field Education Committee member, active in field curriculum renewal and evaluation, field orientation for students, and sponsoring C.E.U events for Field Instructors
  • Curriculum Committee member: active in the review of our curriculum, the integration of 2015 EPAS, and the preparations for the reaffirmation of accreditation process
  • CESW Research and Development Standing Committee: provided guidance for the college and Dean’s office regarding strategies for the promotion of faculty research and program development
  • Frederick Douglass Society Board Member: University-level committee committed to empowerment through education, civic engagement, and thoughtful public discourse
  • Philadelphia Campus Student and Community Engagement Committee (SCEC): fostered community-based education, service, and collaboration opportunities

2015 – 2017
Graduate Coordinator / Asst. Program Director / Assistant Chair
– Philadelphia  Campus: Graduate Department of Social Work, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  • Co-wrote the 2015 Strategic Planning for the MSW Philadelphia Program: Increasing Retention
  • Wrote the 2017 Review and Recommendations Report for the MSW Program – Philly Campus
  • Facilitated evaluation and advocacy meetings with the Dean regarding the needs and strengths of the MSW program in Philly
  • Facilitated the students’ learning journey through admission, retention, and graduation
  • Chair of the 2017 Graduation Planning Committee for the Philadelphia Campus: Facilitated the planning and implementation of a separate graduation ceremony for the MSW Program in Philadelphia
  • Faculty Advisor for MSW Students: instrumental in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a human-rights model of student advising in the MSW program

2011-2014 
Assistant Professor, Augsburg College Social Work Department, Minneapolis, MN

  • Taught clinical practice courses in the Multicultural Clinical Practice MSW concentration
  • Served on the Curriculum committee to evaluate and improve course content in the BSW and MSW programs.
  • Served on the Multicultural Clinical Practice subcommittee to evaluate and improve course content in the clinical practice concentration
  • Served on the MSW/MA Dual Degree Committee to evaluate, improve, and expand the degree program

2009-2011
Faculty Advisor, Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, MA

  • Advisor for students’ academic and field placement needs

2007-2010
Adjunct Lecturer, Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, MA

  • Course: Clinical Assessment and Intervention

2008-2009
Adjunct Lecturer, Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, MA

  • Course: Implications of Racism

Research Interests

  • The role of religion and spirituality in the psychosocial and sexual health of marginalized populations, specifically ethnic minorities, and LGBT populations
  • Culturally responsive mental health practice with marginalized populations
  • Culturally responsive teaching and advising models in higher education
  • Resiliency and self-care practices of social workers

Research Experience

2022 - Present
Project Co-Director. Moving forward together: Unsettling racism, silence and violence in health and social services. Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative (SSHRC Funded). Project Director is Nancy Ross, PhD, MSW.

2017 - Present  
Principal Researcher. LGBT Affirmative Ministries in African-American Communities. Funded:

  • 2018 - 2019 Louisville Institute Project Grant for Researchers
  • 2017 College of Education and Social Work Professional Development Award.

2010 – 2011
Principal Researcher. (Dissertation) The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America

2007 - 2009
Research Assistant. My Light Project: Multi-cultural Adoptive Youth Living in Gay/Lesbian-headed Households
PI: Mark Gianino, Ph.D. Funded by Boston University and Clark University

  • Transcribed in-depth qualitative interviews with youth
  • Conducted qualitative data analysis
  • Participated in publication of findings

Project Coordinator. Understanding the Mentoring Process
PI: Renée Spencer, Ed.D. Funded by W. T. Grant Foundation

  • Managed all aspects of data collection for this multi-year mixed-methods longitudinal study of youth mentoring relationships
  • Conducted data analysis and reported findings

2005-2006
Research Assistant/Treatment Clinician. Psychopathology and Treatment of Compulsive Hoarding. PI: Gail Steketee, Ph.D. Funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health

  • Conducted participant assessments
  • Implemented an experimental 26-week treatment for compulsive hoarding    
  • Co-authored adherence manual for the treatment

Peer-reviewed Publications

  • Lewis, T.O. (2019). A Good Christian Man. In T. Arguello’s (Ed.). Queer Social Work: Cases for LGBTQ+ Affirmative Practice.  New York, NY: Columbia University Press
  • Dessel, A.,  Levy, D.L., Lewis, T.O., McCarty-Caplan, D., Jacobsen, J. and L. Kaplan (2019).  Teaching Note: Challenges in the Classroom around LGBTQ Topics and Christianity in Social Work. Journal of Social Work Education.

  • Lewis, T.O. (2018). Race, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity: Intersectionality in the Lives of LGBTQIA People of Color (Chapter 7). In C.L. Dente’s (Ed.). Social Work Practice with LGBTQIA Populations: An Interactional Perspective. [pp. 114 – 133]. New York: Routledge, Inc.

  • Chiarelli-Helminiak, T. and Lewis, T.O. (2017). Sustainable Development Goal 4: When access to education is not enough. Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education.

  • Dessel, A.B., Jacobsen, J., Levy, D.L. , McCarty-Caplan, D., T.O. Lewis, and L.E. Kaplan (2017). LGBTQ Topics and Christianity in Social Work: Tackling the Tough Questions. Social Work & Christianity.44 (1 & 2), pp. 11-30.

  • Lane, T., Chiarelli-Helminiak, C., Bohrman, C. & T. Lewis  (2017). The Teachable Moment: Engaging Students in Social Justice Movements. Social Work Education: The International Journal. 36(4), pp. 359-372

  • Craig, S. L., Alessi, E. J., Fisher-Borne, M., Dentato, M. P., Austin, A., Paceley, M., Wagaman, A., Arguello, T., Lewis, T., Balestrery, J. E., & Van Der Horn, R. (2016). Guidelines for affirmative social work education: Enhancing the climate for LGBQQ students, staff, and faculty in social work education. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education.

  • Lewis, T.O. (2015). LGBT-affirming Black Churches’ Responses to the HIV/AIDS Crisis.  Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 34(2), 140-157.

  • Lewis, T.O. (2015). Treatment Progress Evaluation: The Basics. [On-line continuing education module, OnCourse Learning].  

  • Lewis, T.O. (2012). Understanding  Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Active Clients Achieve Positive Goals. [On-line continuing education module, OnCourse Learning].

  • Lewis, T.O. (2012). Social Work and Divinity, edited by Daniel Lee and Robert O’ Gorman [Review of the book]. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 31(3), 303-305

  • Lewis, T.O. (2011). Counseling for Spiritually Empowered Wholeness: A Hope-Centered Approach by Howard Clinebell [Review of the book]. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 30 (2), 178 - 180

  • Spencer, R., Basualdo-Delmonico, A., & Lewis, T.O. (2011). Working to make it work: The role of parents in the youth mentoring process. Journal of Community Psychology. 39(1), 51-59

  • Gianino, M., Goldberg, A. & Lewis, T. (2009). Family Outings: Disclosure practices among adopted youth with gay and lesbian parents. Adoption Quarterly, 12(3) 205-228.

Presentations and Trainings

  • Lewis, T.O. (2022, February). Panel Discussion Moderator. “Fitting African Centered Perspectives into Social Work Practice (2)”. A Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) Conversations Series. Dalhousie University School of Social Work. Halifax, NS.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2021, October). LGBTQ+ Affirmative Pastors in African American Communities: Narratives of Acceptance, Inclusivity, and Empowerment. Online Research Presentation. Community-Based Research Centre.
  • Bernard K, Lewis T. (2021, September). Workshops and/or Round Tables: "Africentric Sensitivity Education Session". Local Nova Scotian Association of Black Social Workers Community Education Sessions, Halifax, Canada.
  • Yaffa M, Lewis T. (2021, August). Workshops and/or Round Tables: "Africentric Sensitivity Education Session". Local NSABSW Community Education Sessions with Northwood Health, Halifax, Canada.
  • Lewis, T.O. (June 29 & July 1, 2021). Foundational Concepts for Inclusive Practices Training for Bethany Christian Services. Two Synchronous On-line Sessions.
  • Lewis, T.O. (March 2021). Understanding the Relationship Between Health, Race, and Ethnicity. Panel Discussion. East Coast International Development Summit 2021: Global Health and Development. St. Mary’s University. Halifax, NS, Canada.
  • Lewis, T.O. (March 2020). Culturally Responsive Supervision: Beginning the Discussion. Training Presentation for Field Instructors. Dalhousie University School of Social Work. Halifax, NS, Canada.  
  • Lewis, T.O. (October 2019). LGBT Affirmative Pastors in African-American Communities: Narratives of Acceptance, Inclusivity, and Empowerment. Oral Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the Religious Research Association. St. Louis, MO.
  • Lewis, T.O. (November 2018). LGBTQ+ Affirmative Ministries in African-American Communities: Constructing Safe Harbor Congregations. Oral Presentation at the 64th Annual Program Meeting (APM) for the Council on Social Work Education. Orlando, FL.
  • Lewis, T.O. (October 2018). LGBT Affirmative Ministries in African-American Communities: Dismantling Homophobic Theology, Constructing Safe Harbor Congregations. Oral presentation at the Unity Through Diversity: The Power of Unity Conference. Albany, NY.
  • Lewis, T.O.  (May 2018). Addressing the intersections between religion, LGBTQ identities, and psychosexual health in African-American communities. Keynote presentation at the STDs, STIs, & HIV/AIDS Conference, Montreal, Ca.
  • Lewis, T.O.  (May 2017). Community based research with LGBT affirming Black churches about the HIV AIDS crisis. Panel Presentation at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Research Symposium: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on LGBTQ Research in the Social Sciences. Urbana, IL.
  • Bohrman, C., Chiarelli-Helminiak, T., Lane, T., and Lewis, T.O. (2016, April). The Social Work Educators’ Response to Police Brutality.  Panel Presentation at the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) 18th Annual State Conference, West Chester, PA.
  • Lewis, T.O. (March 2016). LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Responses to HIV/AIDS. Workshop Presentation for the 48th Annual Conference of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. New Orleans, LA.
  • Lewis, T.O., Chiarelli-Helminiak, T., Lane, T., and  Bohrman, C.  (2015, October). The Social Work Response to Police Brutality.  Panel Presentation for the 61st Annual  Program Meeting of  the Council on Social Work Education. Denver, CO.
  • Lewis, T.O. and  Wooten, N.  (2015, October). Getting Hired in Academia: A Primer for Doctoral Students.  Oral Presentation for the 61st Annual  Program Meeting of  the Council on Social Work Education. Denver, CO.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2015, January). Addressing Conflicts between Faith and Social Work Values: From Historical Frameworks to Practice Skills. CEU Training for Field Instructors. West Chester University of Pennsylvania. West Chester, PA.
  • Lewis, T.O (2014, November). The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America. Oral Presentation at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Indianapolis, IN.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2014, January). LGBT Affirming Black Churches' Responses to Homophobia, and the HIV/AIDS Crisis. Paper Presentation for the 2014 Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research. San Antonio, TX
  • Lewis, T.O. (2013, November). DSM-5: An overview of the changes. Clinical Training CEU Workshop for Hennepin County's Human Services and Public Health Department. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2013, October). LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Responses to HIV/AIDS. Oral Presentation. Augsburg College Social Work Department CEU Workshop for Field Instructors, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2012, November). The Responses of LGBT-Affirming Black Churches to Homophobia and the HIV/AIDS Crisis. Oral Presentation for the 58th Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, Washington, D.C.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2012, November). The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America. Accepted for Paper Presentation at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Phoenix, Arizona. Unable to attend due to conference date conflict.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2012, July). Mental Health Careers: Walking with Others towards Healing and Hope. Brief Seminar Presentation for Urban Scrubs Camp, sponsored by Augsburg College.
  • Lewis, T.O. (2012, June). The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America. Oral Presentation for the International Social Work Conference, sponsored by Augsburg College Department of Social Work. Minneapolis, MN
  • Lewis, T.O. (2012, March). The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America. Oral Presentation for the Soup, Gender, and Sexuality Seminars, sponsored by the Augsburg College LGBTQIA Services Office. Minneapolis, MN
  • Lewis, T.O. (2012, January). The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America. Oral Presentation for the Diversity Dialogues Seminar, sponsored by the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Minneapolis, MN
  • Lewis, T.O. (2011, December). The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis in Black America. Oral Presentation for MSW / MA Dual degree program, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN
  • Lewis, T.O. (2010, October). The stigmatization process of LGBT black folk within historically black churches: a theoretical analysis. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Baltimore, MD.
  • Spencer, R., Lewis, T.O., & Basualdo-Delmonico, A. (2009, January). Mentoring across differences: How race and class shape the youth mentoring process. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research. New Orleans, LA.
  • Spencer, R., Lewis, T.O., Basualdo-Delmonico, A. & Fredericksen, B. (2008, March).  Parents’ perspectives on youth mentoring relationships. Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, Chicago, IL.
  • Spencer, R., Lewis, T.O., & Basualdo-Delmonico, A. (2007, October). Mentoring in a multicultural society: A complex relationship.  In L. Fortuna (Chair), Mentoring, teaching, and treating urban minority youth across community and individual differences. Paper presented at the 7th annual meeting of the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture Diversity Challenge Conference, Boston, MA
  • Sorrentino, C., Muroff, J., Bratiotis, C., Lewis, T.O., & Steketee, G. (2008, January). Group cognitive and behavioral treatment (CBT) for compulsive hoarding processes and outcomes. In J. Muroff (Chair), Compulsive hoarding: Psychopathology and public health issues. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C. 

Direct Practice Experience

2021 
Panel Moderator
Addressing QTBIPOC Health Inequities. For Halifax Pride Festival. Online Pre-recorded Panel Discussion. Post date: August 18th.

2021 
Group Facilitator
Healing, Growing, and Serving Together’. Mediation Workshop with Halifax Pride Board of Directors. February 11th.

2004-2006 
Private Practice Therapist
Merrimack Valley Counseling Association, Nashua, NH  

  • Performed clinical assessments and psychotherapy treatment with adults (individuals, couples, and families)
  • Clinical focuses include substance addictions, mood disorders, and trauma

2001-2005 
Adult Outpatient Program Staff Therapist
Seacoast Mental Health Center, Inc., Portsmouth, NH

  • Conducted psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families
  • Clinical supervision of MSW interns
  • Co-created and co-taught 10 session seminar on clinical applications for chemical dependency
  • Provided clinical group supervision for administrative intake staff

2000-2001 
Family Counselor
Familystrength, Dover, NH

  • Performed home-based solution-focused brief treatment with families and children
  • Provided home-based assessment, treatment, and case management services for elder adults
  • Provided 24 hour on-call coverage for families

1998-2000 
Clinical Social Worker I

  • Family Services of Cincinnati Area, Cincinnati, OH
  • Performed clinical assessment and psychotherapy treatment with individuals, couples, and families
  • Performed home-based clinical services
  • Performed school-based clinical services
  • Performed clinical services at an inner-city health clinic
  • Participated in the training development committee

1998 
MSW Intern

  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Dual Diagnosis Clinic, Cincinnati, OH
  • Conducted brief treatment counseling and case management with Veterans
  • Co-facilitated stability and sobriety group
  • Conducted MSW thesis research on the role of spirituality in the treatment of veterans living with dual diagnoses

1995-1997 
Family Social Worker

  • Beech Acres Family Outreach, Cincinnati, OH
  • Conducted home-based solution-focused brief treatment with families
  • Provided 24 hour on-call coverage for families
  • Regional board member for the Southwest Ohio Association of Family-Based Services

1994-1995 
Crisis Counselor
Crossing Place Crisis House, Washington, D.C.

  • Performed crisis stabilization counseling services with adults who had chronic mental health disorders
  • Provided services during two 24 – hour shifts per week
  • Assisted clients with connecting to long-term community mental health services

Professional and Community Service

2022-Present
Professional Faculty Mentor

Dalhousie Black Students Advising Center. 

2021-Present
Candidacy Mentor
Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) Candidacy Program.

  • I provide mentorship to social work graduates who have applied for licensure. 

2020-Present
Social Work Mentor
Black Men in Social Work - Mentorship Program

2020-2022
CSWE APM Track Co-Chair
LGBTQIA+ Two-Spirit Track. Coordinating the selection and organization of research presentations and workshops for the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meetings

2015-Present
Group Member
Social Work Collaborative on Religion, Sexuality, and Gender

2015-Present
Council Member - Reviewer
Council for Social Work Education (CSWE).  Annual conference proposal reviewer. Manuscript Reviewer for Journal of Social Work Education.   

2014-2020
Council Member
Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (CSOGIE) provides guidance to CSWE Board members and the field of social work regarding empirically-based best practices for working with LGBTQIA2S clients. 

2007-Present 
Alumnus and Volunteer

  • Minority Fellowship PhD – Program, Application reviewer
  • Minority Fellowship MSW-Youth Focus. Advisory Board Member and Application Reviewer 

2008-2011
Volunteer
Men’s Action Life Empowerment (MALE) Center which provides health education, testing and prevention services for Gay, Bisexual, and MSM males in the Boston Area 

  • Volunteer at front desk and on special projects
  • Member of the Community Advisory Board

2003-2011
Volunteer / Member 
Unitarian Universalist Church

  • Advocated for LGBT marriage equality rights in MA and in MN
  • Advocated for equal funding and support of HIV/AIDS health research and social service programs for LGBTQIA communities
  • Participated in LGBT affirming ministry outreach 

Professional and Community Service

2021-Present   
Canadian Society for Spirituality in Social Work (CSSSW)

2020-Present   
Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)

2021-Present   
Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE)

2018-Present   
Society for Spirituality and Social Work (SSSW - U.S.)

2020-Present   
Nova Scotia College of Social Work (NSCSW)

2020-Present   
Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA)

2020-2021       
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia (CSCNS)

2020-Present    
Association of Black Social Workers - Nova Scotia (NSABSW)

2016-2021       
National Museum of African American History and Culture NMAAHC)

2010-Present   
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR)

2006-Present   
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE - U.S.)

2001-Present   
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

2014-2020        
Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (CSOGIE)

2017-2019       
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

2015-2019       
National Association of Black Social Workers (U.S.)

2006-2018       
Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)

Certification / Licensure

Registered Social Worker, NS, Canada: #8450
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Minnesota: #21944