The Leonard G. Dunston African Centered Nea Onnim Circle (formerly the academy) is tasked with the development of a cadre of Black social workers in becoming African Centered. This is done through the introduction of African and black history, philosophy and techniques not taught at undergraduate or graduate schools.
Our African-Centered Nea Onnim Circle is for EVERYONE in NABSW!
Dr. Rhonda Wilbon, Circle Chair & Paramount Instructor
Purpose
The NABSW Leonard G. Dunston African-Centered Nea Onnim Circle [known as The Circle] is to augment knowledge, appreciation, awareness, and application of African-centered principles, frameworks and values in social work practice. The goal of The Circle is to provide a basic theoretical and conceptual orientation to African-centered social work practice.
Five objectives of The Circle are as follows;
To understand African-centered history, principles, concepts and values and its implications for practice,
To examine African American social welfare history and the contributions of Black social welfare pioneers,
To discuss the practice, policy and research implications of African-centered social work,
To engage in self-assessment as it relates to African-centered knowledge and values, and
To engage in applying African-centered principles, concepts and values in practice contexts.
Are You Interested in Participating in NABSW’s next Circle Cohort? Please continue to complete an application and pay your deposit.
HISTORY
In 1996 our African-centered Academy was founded under President Emeritus Leonard G. Dunston. Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt and Dr. Thaddeus Mathis. Together they created the original curriculum and framework for NABSW’s African Centered Social Work Academy. As social workers watched the painful unraveling of social crisis after social crisis unfold in the Black community the vision for this type of educational program was to provide knowledge and skills to enhance social programs, clinical and policy practice in one’s community. NABSW is the ONLY professional organization in the field of social work that prioritizes the well-being of the African-descended community in the Western hemisphere. Drs. Reid-Merritt and Mathis are to be commended for spearheading this Institute for the membership.
The first two (1997 and 1998) cohorts of Academy learners were trained by these distinguished faculty who are Sages. In the African tradition, a sage is a wise one, who is a teacher-trainer, skilled with the ability to impact knowledge and practice-wisdom. Sages bring their knowledge in social and cultural history, cultural practices, introspection, assessments, policy intervention, advocacy, program development, etc., so that learners are imparted with the best information and skills to grow and enhance their work where they are. Sages help learners integrate theory with policy, observation with practice, outrage with advocacy, helplessness and hopelessness with introspection.
In 1999, Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley (A Graduate of the first Academy Cohort) and Dr. Morris F. X. Jeff, Jr., developed the Council of Sages, Hekima Mentoring Program, an Evaluation Instrument, established the administrative and infrastructure aspect of the Academy and augmented roles of graduates at our international conference. After graduating from the Academy in 2001, Dr. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon joined Dr. Jeff, Jr, with a focus on ritual development and being African Centered as a way of life. Ritual is an important aspect in African development of people – as ritual is preparation that marks an entrance into the next phase of life. With an emphasis on being African Centered as a way of life, learners began to see more clearly ways in which they could implement core African values into daily living. Dr. Jeff and Dr. Wilbon graduated the 2002 and 2003 Academy Cohorts. Following the transition of Dr. Jeff in 2003, Dr. Wilbon took full responsibility for the Academy for one year and graduated the 2004 cohort.
In 2004, Dr. Thaddeus Mathis rejoined the Academy Council of Sages as co-chair with Dr. Wells-Wilbon. Together they expanded the Academy’s African-centered perspective in the curriculum and graduated the 2005 Cohort. The Academy engages in rigorous preparation with learners to re-classify knowledge, cultural history and reality, organization and interventions, so that problem-solving and meeting needs can take place. Upon graduation learners are equipped to create interventions that sustain, celebrate and uphold our community practitioners in the environments where they work. In 2010, Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley rejoined Dr. Wells-Wilbon as committed leaders maintaining continuity of programming and its elements. Dr. Bent Goodley graduated the 2012 cohort.
In 2013, Dr. Colita Fairfax, agreed to serve as Co-Chair. Dr. Fairfax was trained in the Temple University School of Afrocentists, where history, culture and theory are the elements of her training. Dr. Fairfax has been a member of NABSW for a number of years, and as an active member on the local level, and founder of the Hampton Roads chapter in 2000, she saw the need for our membership to receive more academic and cultural development and mentoring. Dr. Fairfax was Co-Chair for nine years (from 2013 to 2022). She was the first to honor the cohorts upon graduating an African Cohort name. She graduated two Cohorts, in 2019 and 2022). The 2019 Cohort of Sobekneferu and the 2022 cohort The Akinyemi of Aminifu.
In 2022 President Melissa Haley asked Dr. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon to return and serve as Chair and Paramount Instructor. Dr. Wilbon is currently serving in that role. She returned to lead the Academy to build the infrastructure and develop a certification program. Dr. Wells-Wilbon previously served in this role and was excited to expand the capacity with new and innovative ideas to strengthen us as we forge ahead. In 2022 with the support of the Council of Sages Dr. Wilbon proposed the name change from the academy for African centered social work to The Leonard G. Dunston African Centered Nea Onnim Circle. In April 2023 Dr. Wilbon graduated her fifth cohort…. And the very first Nea Onnim Circle, Ubuntu!
THE NEXT NEA ONNIM CIRCLE
At this time, we are accepting applications and fees for the 2024-2025 cohort. The next class will begin the fourth weekend in June, 28-30 via Zoom. Please submit your application and be patient and know that we WILL be moving forward, and you will receive correspondence on the next steps for the process of beginning work for The Circle. We are so excited to get started and want to get to know all of you that will be participating and who will successfully be in the next graduating class of The Circle!
Our team promises to provide the necessary support to make you succeed in this major endeavor. Under the leadership of our esteemed Chair & Paramount Instructor, Dr. Rhonda Wilbon, you are going to have a hybrid experience. Three weekend Institutes in June, August, and November, and one weekend Institute in February in Baltimore, Maryland. The June and August Institutes will be the fourth weekend, and the November Institute will be the third weekend. In February we would like to meet the fourth weekend (but dependent on the weather). We look forward to you being a part of The Circle!
To participate in The Circle, attendance to the next NABSW Conference scheduled to convene will be mandatory. Begin to plan for that now!
In the spirit of Ujima-Collective Work and Responsibility, we are excited for you to experience the NABSW's powerful Circle for African Centered
Social Work. We hope you decide to be a part of this life changing experience!
Asante Sana (Thank you very much),
Dr. Rhonda Wells-Wilbon
Complete the application below.
Once accepted to the cohort, please use this link to pay your: Tuition