For far too long, the huge contribution of African Americans to the social work profession has been relegated to little more than a footnote. The truth is, these forward-thinking individuals enhanced the quality of life within and outside their communities for generations. Their stories have never been told. Until now. Sixteen painstakingly researched chapters, written by social workers, highlight the distinct roles of African American social work pioneers from the 1890s through the 1940s. The book discusses the birth of social welfare activities, both informal and formal, and introduces founding members of organizations such as the National Urban League and the National Association of Colored Women. Written from a social work perspective and framed within a historical context, these profiles and their accompanying lessons help today's practitioner make the connection to current issues.

Felix L. Armfield, PhD, assistant professor of history, Department of History and Social Studies Education, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, New York. Tricia Bent-Goodley, PhD, LICSW-C, assistant professor, Howard University School of Social Work, Washington, DC. N. Yolanda Burwell, PhD, associate professor, School of Social Work and Criminal Justice Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. Susan Kerr Chandler, PhD, MSW, associate professor, School of Social Work, University of Nevada, Reno Sharon Warren Cook, MSW, assistant professor of social work and social welfare coordinator, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina Hugette A. Curah, MSW, social worker, Family Support Unit, Wake County Human Services, Raleigh, North Carolina Joyce G. Dickerson, PhD, MSW, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, North Carolina AandT State University, Greensboro Aminifu Harvey, DSW, LCSW-C, associate professor of social work, University of Maryland, Baltimore Vanessa G. Hodges, PhD, MSW, associate professor in social work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Elmer P. Martin, PhD, professor, Department of Social Work and Mental Health, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland Joanne M. Martin, PhD, cofounder, The Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Baltimore, Maryland. Wilma Peebles-Wilkins, PhD, dean and professor, Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, Massachusetts Dorothy S. Ruiz, PhD, associate professor, Department of African American and African Studies, University of North Carolina, Charlotte Tawana Ford Sabbath, MSS, PhD, social worker and funeral business co-owner, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cheryl Waites, EdD, MSW, ACSW, associate professor, Social Work Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh