Your Expertise, Our Stage 

The 2023 Homecoming Conference was designed for Black women in Social Work to Return to Self by gaining awareness of and embracing their self-identity beyond their professional and life demanding capacities. The conference held space for 130 like-minded Black women Social Work professionals and students that cultivated collective renewed outlooks and perspectives, improved self-care and wellness practices, and educational successes for attendees. With professional development sessions and a wellness component, the conference gave stage moments to leading experts that presented on ranging topics such as:

CE and Professional Development Sessions:

• Workplace trauma recovery
• Balancing career and motherhood
• Reaching advancement by leveraging Social Work skills to pursue entrepreneurship 
• Compassion fatigue
• Student success

Wellness Sessions:

• Yoga and deep breathing
• Sound bowl meditation
• Zumba fitness
• Unique self-love activities related to play therapy, lattes, and skincare
• Financial wellness and literacy

For 2025, we are taking the inaugural conference experience and building upon the foundational tools provided to go Beyond Balance. We are aiming to curate a brave space for Black women in Social Work to connect, recharge, and elevate our strategies for personal and professional advancement.

 

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We are interested in receiving proposals that align with burnout prevention, career sustainability, and professional and personal growth for Black women profesionals and (or) students in the Social Work field. This year’s conference presentations and wellness sessions should align with at least 1 of the 8 dimensions of wellness..

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness

1. Physical: Maintaining physical health and vitality through practices that support the body’s overall functioning, such as movement, rest, and nutrition.
2. Emotional: Developing strategies to understand, process, and regulate emotions in ways that promote resilience and well-being.
3. Social: Fostering meaningful relationships and cultivating a sense of belonging through healthy and supportive connections with others.
4. Spiritual: Exploring and aligning with personal values, beliefs, or a sense of purpose to enhance inner peace and direction.
5. Intellectual: Engaging in activities that stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and personal or professional growth.
6. Environmental: Creating and maintaining surroundings that are safe, organized, and conducive to a positive and productive lifestyle.
7. Occupational: Striving for balance, satisfaction, and alignment of values within one’s professional roles and responsibilities.
8. Financial: Managing resources wisely to ensure financial stability, reduce stress, and support long-term goals.

Key Details:

• Beyond Balance: Homecoming Weekend Conference
  September 12-14, 2025
  Sheraton Hotel, Charlotte, NC 
• All sessions must be one hour in time length
• For professional development sessions we will prioritize:
  -Non-clinical presenters with at least two years post-graduation from a CSWE-accredited institution
  -Clinical presenters with active ASWB clinical level licensure (LCSW, LISW, LICSW, etc.)
• For wellness sessions we will prioritize:
  -Instructors with a strong understanding and education on the proposed subject/activity
  -Instructors with proper training/certifications applicable and required for proposed subject area
• Conference registration is required to engage as a Presenter or Wellness Instructor. Discounted registration and Day Pass options will be available. 
• All selected Presenters and Wellness Instructors will be required to attend an Onboarding Lunch Break held virtually on July 9, 2025 from 12-1:30pm ET
• There is a limit of 3 proposal submissions per Presenter/Instructor. Any additional submissions will not be reviewed.

 

Please fully read the above conference proposal guidelines and information before submitting to ensure that your credentials, experience, and session content aligns. Instructions for conference registration will be included in approval correspondences via email. For questions, please contact info@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com.

 

We welcome creativity and out-of-the-box proposals!

Presenter proposals should be clear and objective driven, aligning with the theme and focus topics of the conference. Previous conference sessions may be viewed here for reference.

If you are uncertain if your proposed session aligns with our conference, you are welcome to email us at info@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com before submitting.

Wellness Instructors are to educate and engage attendees in creative self-care/wellness activities and education that they are well versed in. Previous conference sessions may be viewed here for reference.

If you are uncertain if your proposed activity aligns with our conference, you are welcome to email us at info@blackgirlsinsocialwork.com before submitting.