How it all started…
The Triangle Association of Black Social Workers (TABSW) was founded in 1975 in Durham, North Carolina, by one of the founding members of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Dr. Audreye E. Johnson, Ph.D., ACSW. The Triangle Association of Black Social Workers represents Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding communities.
In December 1975, TABSW held the first North Carolina State Association of Black Social Workers (NCSABSW) State Conference in an effort to further their mission to promote the welfare, survival, and liberation of the Black Community; and to advocate for social change at the national, state, and local level.
In 2006, TABSW hosted the 2nd Annual Southeast Regional NABSW Conference at the historic North Carolina Mutual Building in collaboration with Shaw University’s Adult Degree Program. The conference, Reflections for Today and Tomorrow: Continuing to Challenge Racial Inequalities, sponsored by NCSABSW, welcomed NABSW members from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
TABSW works hard to involve future social workers by reaching out to and working with college students who show a desire and interest in the social work profession. Through these partnerships, we have worked with students from North Carolina Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Shaw University.
In 2006, TABSW established the Sankofa Mentorship Project (SMP) for its members to address the critical need to identify and support the emerging leadership of young professionals. This project matched leaders who were experienced and established in the social work and human service field with young professionals who shared similar interests and served as resources and mentors, sharing information and knowledge.
TABSW has continued its tradition of education with symposiums in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023. These symposiums have allowed Black Social Workers to connect, share information, and learn how to serve the Black community better.
Symposiums are listed below:
Preparing to take the Reins: Being Ready, Committed and ‘Woke’ (2017)
Tightening the Reins: Leading, Organizing and Changing (2018)
Connecting Through Crisis: Isolated but Stronger Together (2020)
Black Mental Health (2020)
For the People, From the People: the COVID-19 Vaccine (2021)
Black Genius: Research by Us to Advance Us (2023)
TABSW has worked with schools and other non-profit organizations throughout the years to benefit the African-American community through service, education, and inclusion.
The Triangle Association of Black Social Workers has continued its tradition of service in the African-American community with various special projects. TABSW has worked with several organizations in providing community support and outreach: Central Children’s Home, Hurricane Katrina & Rita Outreach, Eastern North Carolina Regional Multiple Sclerosis Society, Habitat for Humanity, When We All Vote, BlackPAC, Durham Technical Community College, and the North Carolina Central University Social Work Society.
The Triangle Association of Black Social Workers works year-round to ensure the success of individual and family needs and the professional development and social support needs of Black Social Workers. TABSW continues to sponsor local programs and meetings related to service delivery and policy-making on various issues related to the Black community. We hope to continue making a difference for many years to come.