INDIANAPOLIS — The pandemic has been with us almost one year and the long and short term effects of sickness and unemployment are taking a toll on people across the nation, and Black men have been more likely than most to feel those effects.
"The pandemic has killed so many people of color. People have lost houses, they lost income, and so the social worker as a whole, I believe they are in great need for them," said Dayvid Brown.
Brown is a behavioral therapist, he and his fellow members of the Central Indiana Association of Black Social Workers say there is a large shortage and heavy demand for Black men in their industry, a job that is notorious for its low wages and stigmas that paint the social worker as the bad guy.
"The thinking that social worker is going to be the snitch, is going to be the one that goes in the house and removes the kids," Brown said. He says the industry of social work is dominated by white women, with a lesser number of Black males who can relate to the people they are trying to serve.
"It's one thing to read about being an African-American man but it's another thing to have been experienced to some of the challenges and some of the bias and racism of it," said Brown.
In an effort to add to the industry's talent pool, Brown and his colleagues from The Black Social Workers Association are hosting a virtual informational session this Saturday, where they hope to inspire more black men to get involved and make a difference.
"If we're not at the table, if we're not included in the planning, how can you plan something for me as an African American man, but there's no representation?" said Brown.
You can register for the information session here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsd-qvpzMvGNwmQEhsJoe0KMgTSyCZqWsP?fbclid=IwAR3uO50WlLztOGshhMJtolWCwkQzbZNrJpD7h6BMBPKIT7zj3nK4yDMU410