According to Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt’s, “Righteous Self Determination of the Black Social Workers”, The Association of Black Social Workers New York City chapter was the 1st chapter, founded in June of 1967 due to a growing frustration with the oppressive and racist policies enacted in the larger mainstream social work organizations. Although many of them claimed to help the poor and disenfranchised, these organizations intentionally and systematically excluded the Black voice. The brewing frustration came to head a year when a group of Black Social Workers united and walked out of a meeting at the National Conference on Social Welfare. They demanded NCSW address racism. Today the ABSW NYC chapter remains stead fast continually striving to uphold the principles and guidelines of our founders.

Cenie “Jomo” Williams Jr. was one of our chapter’s presidents and the first elected President of the National Association of Black Social Workers. He was elected as the 4th President of the NYC Chapter (1969- 1982) until his untimely death. William Green Jr served as President from 1983 thru 1984, and Robert Knox Sr. led the chapter for 20 years until he also joined our ancestors 2006. Roosevelt George was elected President and served through 2008. It should be noted that. Roosevelt George served as Vice President for many dedicated years before his Presidency and he has also joined the Ancestors. Then we proudly elected our first woman and current President, Gloria Scott.

We’ve worked very hard as an organization to maintain Cenie’s commitment to the community by supporting the professional development of Black Social Workers, fighting racism, aiding in the cultural development of the Black community and reevaluating existing Eurocentric paradigms.

ABSW NYC has a long history of accomplishments. In the past, we conducted voter registration drives, and we were instrumental in the removal of a racist HRA Commissioner. The chapter has responded to both national and international disasters. We’ve provided services for 9-11, the New Orleans devastation, the earthquakes in Haiti, Hurricane Sandy and most recently, we’ve assisted survivors from the 2014 East Harlem Explosion. We’ve supported social work students with scholarships and fieldwork placements.

Our organization continues to thrive today. Established in 1975, our Senior Citizen’s Program and Adoption Counseling and Referral Service programs continue to provide necessary services to the community. Cenie always wanted to provide affordable housing in the community and to fulfill that dream ABSW Chapter developed the Cenie Jomo Williams Jr. Housing Complex consisting of 4 brownstones located in Harlem.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, ABSW NYC maintains a level of activism has remained committed to honoring our founders. Our current community education initiatives remain steadfast partnering with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. center’s weekly food drive The Chapter has shifted from in-house education and community activities to hosting virtual meetings including census information, rank choice voting education mental health workshops and CE workshops.

Some of our community and national partnerships include: All Healers Mental Health Alliance, The Black Family Summit, Pan African Unity Dialogue, Releasing Aging Persons from Prison, Girls Mentoring Girls, Nassau Suffolk ABSW and Westchester ABSW.

54 years after our founding, the chapter survives with members hailing from Brooklyn to Westchester. The Association of Black Social Workers, New York City Chapter remains steadfast to serve our community, honoring and preserving the legacy of our Founding Members.