Equity, Justice, and Inclusion

The mission of our Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (EJI) Initiatives is to develop policies and practices that promote a caring, respectful, and inclusive community. EJI promotes open and honest conversations, fosters interdisciplinary collaborations, and expands access to opportunities for historically marginalized groups, including women, racial and ethnic populations, and the LGBTQ+ community.

EJI in Action

Latinx Leadership
Initiative

The LLI develops leaders equipped to work with the Latinx community on sustainable solutions for complex problems.

Black Leadership
Initiative

This initiative supports, develops, and prepares MSW-level practitioners regarding issues faced by the Black community.

Leaders for Equity and Justice in the Workplace

This certificate program prepares students to direct EJI programs at colleges, public agencies, and companies in the private sector.

Spectrum

This group fosters a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students and allies. All groups in the BCSSW Student Collective are dedicated to informing and supporting the community.

Affirm Lab
 

The Affirm Lab seeks to improve mental health therapy for stigmatized youth by identifying their experiences and developing methods to improve their care.

The Op-Ed Project
 

The OpEd Project is a nonprofit organization that elevates the ideas and knowledge of underrepresented expert voices through op-eds and more.

Afrocentric
Social Work

In this field of practice, students will take a holistic approach toward a critical examination of social work from an African-centered perspective.

Optional
Certificates

BCSSW also offers optional certificates within the M.S.W. program that focus on subject-specific areas of social work practice and policy.  

Community Voices

Our students represent a variety of life experiences, personal interests, and professional goals. Together with our supportive faculty and staff, they make up our vibrant community.



EJI in the News


The EJI Committee

The EJI Committee actively works to tackle inequalities that contribute to unfair outcomes in the classroom, to better prepare students to work with diverse populations around the world, and to create a culture of mutual respect and lifelong learning. The committee includes four subcommittees dedicated to helping BCSSW achieve its strategic directions:

Training and Events

This working group will focus on building skills in conducting courageous conversations; strategies for disrupting racism; and training others in good antiracist and anti-oppressive social work practice.

Curriculum

This working group will challenge instances of racism and oppression in the course offerings at BCSSW by mapping how equity, justice, and inclusion show up in classes and developing methods to resolve gaps in social work education.

Metrics + Measurements

This working group will focus on capturing and analyzing the impact of our efforts to dismantle white supremacy at BCSSW. This group has been working hard to craft metrics that inform our thinking and decision making.

Student Leadership

This working group is dedicated to creating student leaders focused on ensuring BCSSW is an antiracist school, analyzing policy to encourage a welcoming environment, and pursuing action-oriented advocacy on behalf of all BCSSW students.

 

Equity, Justice, and Inclusion by the Numbers

Faculty Diversity *

* Percentage of faculty who self-identify as AHANA (African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American)

239

Students who have graduated from the Latinx Leadership Initiative since 2013

51

Number of EJI events hosted, 2020–21

15

Student fellows enrolled in inaugural year of Black Leadership Initiative (2021–22)

48%

Faculty Diversity (2022-23)


 

EJI Events at Boston College

Play
Dr. Samuel Bradley

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO SOCIAL WORK

BCSSW's Black Leadership Initiative and Latinx Leadership Initiative encourage students to develop a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by specific populations to move closer to solutions.

EJI-related Courses at BCSSW

BC Resources

Office for Institutional Diversity

Dedicated to advancing a Boston College culture and climate that is welcoming to all—through leadership, support, education, compliance, and policy.

Forum on Racial Justice in America

This forum provides a meeting place for dialogue about race and racism in the U.S., while serving as a catalyst for bridging differences, promoting reconciliation, and encouraging new perspectives.

Courageous Conversations

Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice is a dialogue-centered initiative on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing, equity, and justice.

Veterans Services

Boston College proudly welcomes all veterans of the United States Armed Forces and is committed to helping them find the resources they require to thrive here.

LGBTQ Resources

Boston College is dedicated to fostering a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all students and to positively impact and improve the LGBTQ+ student experience.

Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center

This center supports and empowers undergraduate students, with a particular focus on AHANA, multicultural, and multiethnic issues.