The National Africentric Social Work Circle (NASWC) is a monthly gathering space for Black social workers across Canada to connect, learn, and build knowledge together. The series aims to deepen understanding, strengthen networks, and advance Africentric social work practice in ways that honour Black communities, histories, and lived experiences.

 

Read the Guiding Principles
Join the Steering Committee
Register for the next circle

Provide your feedback on the principles that will shape and guide the National Africentric Social Work Circles.

We are looking for individuals from across the country to guide the work of the National Africentric Social Work Circle. Join us.

Next Circle: November 29th
Topic: Bringing Africentric social work from the margins to the center of social work practice

 

Calendar of Events:

Monthly Circles
2025-2026 Schedule and Topics 
Saturdays 1pm-2:30pm EST (Last Saturday of the month)

Date Topic
September 27th, 2025 Defining Africentric Social Work
October 25th, 2025 Defining Africentric Social Work from a Practice Perspective
November 29th, 2025 Bringing Africentric social work from the margins to the center of social work practice 
 

No Circle in December - Celebrate Kwanzaa with Family and Community

January 31st, 2026 Africentric perspectives in social work education and practice 
February 28th, 2026 Addressing intersectional oppression, anti-black racism, and microaggressions in the workplace
March 28th, 2026 Black social workers in leadership
April 25th, 2026 Black social workers addressing issues of violence
May 30th, 2026 Mentorship with Black elders in social work
June 27th, 2026 Time of Reflection and Review of the Circles and  Planning Next Steps
September 26th, 2026 Dealing with imposter syndrome

 

Black Social Work Associations

Alberta Association of Black Social Workers (AABSW)

AABSW logo

The Alberta Association of Black Social Workers (AABSW) is an equity-seeking network of social work professionals dedicated to upholding the inherent worth and dignity of peoples of African descent in Alberta and beyond.
AABSW supports Black Social Workers through social connection, networking, peer support, mentorship, supervision, and professional development opportunities.

Website: https://aabsw.ca/

 

Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers (NSABSW)

ABSW logo

The key mission of the association is to act as support group and professional development resource for African Canadian workers. The ABSW provides a structure and forum through which Black Social Workers and workers in related fields can exchange ideas, offer services and develop programs in the interest of the Black Community and the community at large.
ABSW offers educational and community based programs ranging from clinical counselling, Africentric Education and Anti-Black Racism Training sessions, and professional development. ABSW conducts awareness sessions on social issues such as: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Gambling, Parenting Bi-racial/Black Children, Palliative Care etc.

Website: https://www.nsabsw.ca/

 

Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers (SABSW) 

SABSW logo

The Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers (SABSW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to social justice, promoting wellness, and advancing Black excellence. Grounded in Africentric social work, SABSW empowers communities, challenges systemic inequities, and fosters wellness and inclusion through participatory research projects and advocacy. It is a local independent body from the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers, but the two have a collaborative working relationship. Florence K Mudzongo founded the SABSW on December 7, 2022. Akin to the concerns raised by Black Social workers in other Canadian provinces, the SABSW was created out of the concern of Black social workers and students in the province of Saskatchewan including practicing in isolation, working in hostile conditions, and enormous institutional barriers to professional advancement. Other concerns that led to the formation of SABSW are the current and future of social work profession and education curriculum and how it serves and affect the Black communities in Saskatchewan. 

Website: https://sabsw.com/

 

Umoja Black Social Workers Association (UBSWA)

UBSWA logoWelcome to Umoja Black Social Workers Association (UBSWA), a community of Black social workers who are committed to supporting and uplifting Black communities. Our purpose is to provide the opportunity for Black social workers to network, collaborate and have a voice in identifying and addressing issues related to social work practice towards reducing social and health inequities.

Health inequities are differences in health that are systemic, patterned, unfair and can be addressed. Black Social Workers are members of a disproportionately affected community, the Black Canadian community.  The voice of Black Social Workers is therefore critical due to lived experiences or kinship-related connections that invoke a visceral investment in the development and upliftment of Black communities.

Website: https://ubswa.ca/