Committee on Race, Equity, Accountability & Leadership (REAL) Issues

The mission of the REAL Committee is to educate and equip NASW/Texas members to identify and change racist practices within relevant institutions. The REAL committee will promote conditions which encourage respect for the diversity of cultures including equality and equity of opportunity and treatment in all activities of NASW/Texas and institutions connected to the social work profession. We will do this through education, coalition building, research and community dialogue.
 
Special thanks to the NASW/Texas staff and our champions, Nakia Winfield, Joyce James, Dr. Michele Rountree, Dr. Martell Teasley, Naomi Brown, Mike Manor, Dr. Alan Dethloff and Sandy Bernabei for your assistance in the creation and/or work of this new committee.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Kimberly Lauriston, LMSW, Founding Chair 

Robin Johnson, LMSW, Co-founder

Dr. Totundra Grays, LCSW  

David Babbs

Dan King

Nicole Meitzen, LMSW, Region 7 Lead

Metari Garza, LCSW 

Sharon Owens, LMSW Region 2 Lead

Monique Vasquez

Valencia Jefferson

Lisa Rogers, LMSW

Learn more about the REAL committee here.

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GET INVOLVED

REAL is extremely excited and ready to bring more CE training opportunities and town halls to social workers across the State of Texas. Anti-racism is an important part of social work ethics and we are glad we can serve as a resource. We are excited to continue strengthening our anti-racist framework by sponsoring an Undoing Racism training in the near future.

In order for REAL to operate effectively and fulfill our committee’s mission and objectives, we need the following roles filled:

Regional Leads (6 needed outside of Regions 2, 6 & 7): Will work with the steering committee to disseminate information to  other social workers in their regions, develop allies with existing coalitions and other members in their region, as well as assist with coordinating committee. See (Look up your branch and/or region using this map.)

If you are interested in joining the committee or hosting an event, please contact the Kimberly Lauriston.

RESOURCE LIST

It is a goal of the REAL committee to provide the tools necessary for social workers to have informed, effective dialogues about race in the US. Social workers, due to our strong ethics and experience working with marginalized populations, should be on the front lines of these critical conversations.

This list is a compilation of resources and recommendations from the community. Some may speak to you, others may not. If you have a recommendation, please email us to submit it.

 Download Resource List here.