Treasure Williams, President
Treasure serves as a School Social Worker in the Piedmont area. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
Since I was little, I've enjoyed helping others. As I got older, I realized that I love working with kids and putting smiles on their faces. I chose social work because it allows me to tackle systematic barriers that harm children and ensure that I can continue to put smiles on children's faces.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
I joined TABSW because I wanted to be a part of an organization of people who look like me and who are invested in uplifting and supporting the Black community.
3)Fun fact
I've seen the Northern Lights!
Ashlei Brown, Vice President
Ashlei serves as an Integrated behavioral health clinician. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
I love being the difference maker in someone's life.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
TABSW was a support for me, a sounding board of advice givers and motivators, as I completed my MSW. They continue to fill my cup and it's a reciprocal relationship. With my TABSW family I know I am seen, heard, and valued as a person.
3)Fun fact
I enjoy infusing ancient practices into the care I give.
Litasha Wilson, Secretary
Litasha serves as a social work supervisor. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
I knew I wanted to do something to help people who were hurting. I saw social work as an extension of my faith.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
I had the blessing of being introduced to NABSW in grad school by a black professor, who told us how important it was to be part of the organization. We went to the national conference that year, and that was all it took for me to know I needed to find my way back to this organization when I finished grad school.
3)Fun fact
I love learning and speaking new languages.
Bonita Joyce, Treasurer
Bonita serves as a School Social Worker in the Triangle Area. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
I needed to grow myself to grow my community. The field of social work offers insight into every aspect of human being. As with any other discipline social work can be used to oppress or liberate.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
Our TABSW village reminds me Black folks are so many beautiful things... we are the scholar and the warrior... the academic and the activist. We pour into one another so everyone is whole. It feels like shelter and freedom to me.
3)Fun fact
I have been searching on the internet for a fun fact about myself and nothing has popped up!
Kennetra Irby Brackett, Parliamentarian
Kennetra serves as the Associate Director of Field Education & Career Development at Duke Divinity School. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
I have always been drawn to opportunities where I get to learn more about people, places, and cultures, particularly when there is an element of cooperative empowerment. Social Work equips me to operate at these intersections. I chose to also pursue a degree in divinity to address the spiritual dimensions of people’s lived experiences more thoroughly.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
Two former classmates, who I deeply admired and respected, were executive board members of TABSW and invited me to join. The Code of Ethics continually reminds me that my work at the intersections of people, place, and culture must always celebrate and liberate Black people, by any means necessary.
3)Fun fact
I once had a conversation in Spanish with actress and civil rights activist Ruby Dee!
Charity Watkins, Social Media Coordinator
Charity serves as a professor of social work at a HBCU in the Triangle Area. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
Because of my name, I’ve always felt like I was destined to help people, address social injustices, and advocate for change. Social work allows me to manifest my destiny.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
I saw TABSW as a place to work on issues affecting my community with my community. The organization is guided by tenets I value and people that I love.
3)Fun fact
I am a Triple Tar Heel. Now with my B.A. in Sociology, Masters in Social Work, and Ph.D. in Social Work, I have the honor of contributing to the education of future social workers at North Carolina Central University.
Kenesha Wood, Social Coordinator
Kenesha serves as an Outreach Social Worker. Here are her thoughts on the following questions:
1)Why social work?
Social work provides me with a platform to help people within my community and to be an advocate for change. I love the social work profession for its versatility and the opportunity to be creative in my approaches to care.
2)Why did you join TABSW?
I was introduced by a professor in Grad School. I came to a meeting to see what it was all about and immediately felt at home. Being a member of TABSW allows me to be around professionals of all levels of wisdom, education, experience and most importantly, Blackness. Being apart of TABSW allows me to witness and understand how black Social Workers navigate systems I have or will one day come across. That's important to me.
3)Fun fact
I love old time movies and tv shows.