by Matthew Smith
A wide scope of topics — from reparations, to environmental justice, to Black youth well-being, and social mobility and mental health — will be explored during the fourth installment of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work’s Black History Month Research Series.

This year’s virtual series, themed “Advancing Economic and Health Equity Through Evidence-Based Research on Structural Factors Affecting Black Communities,” features seven speakers from academic institutions, nonprofits and consulting groups with School faculty and students serving as moderators.
Founded by Trenette Clark Goings, the School’s Sandra Reeves Spears and John B. Turner Distinguished Professor, and Johnson-Howard-Adair Distinguished Professor and Global Social Development Innovations (GSDI) research center Director Gina Chowa, the series is sponsored by GSDI and Goings’ INSPIRED Lab.
Since 2022, the series has showcased research from both UNC social work faculty and students, as well as invited presenters and external scholars. The series opened with discussions on anti-racist research and offers participants an opportunity to confront the disparities that Black, Indigenous and people of color often face.
“This research series is not just about demonstrating the impact of racial history, but also about actively engaging in the discussion and recommendation of policies, programs and interventions that can effectively address current racial disparities,” Chowa said. “It holds our feet to the fire to continue confronting historical racial issues and how they shape our lives now and our future lives using research evidence.”
Opening speakers
The year’s opening discussion will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, from noon to 1 p.m., featuring Duke University’s William A. Darity Jr. and folklorist and Artefactual founder A. Kirsten Mullen. The event will be moderated by Goings. Online registration for the opening discussion is available now.
Darity and Mullen’s presentation will be based on their book, “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century.” The duo will discuss the case for reparations for Black American descendants of United States enslavement, the structure of a suitable reparations plan, and the prospects for adoption.
The book was the recipient of the inaugural 2021 book prize from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the 2021 Lillian Smith Book Award, the 2021 American Book Fest Award for social change, and the 2020 Ragan Old North State award for nonfiction from the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association.
“Dr. Darity has been a trailblazing advocate for change in North Carolina communities for decades and is widely recognized as a thought leader in addressing economic inequities,” Goings said. “His insights and expertise will set the tone for this month’s webinar series on the economic and structural challenges impacting Black communities. We are thrilled and deeply honored that Dr. Darity and Kirsten Mullen accepted our invitation to serve as this year’s keynote speakers.”
Other scheduled discussions will focus on historical pathways that Black communities have undergone for economic and environmental civil rights; Black youth well-being and how to promote positive health behaviors; and factors that lead to lower reported African American depression rates.
Series schedule
The 2025 UNC School of Social Work Black History Month Research Series schedule includes:
- Feb. 6: “Forty Acres and a Mule in the 21st Century,” noon to 1 p.m., featuring Darity and Mullen
- Feb. 13: “Pathways and Blueprints for Environmental Justice, Climate Activism and Food Sovereignty,” noon to 1 p.m., featuring the University of Illinois’ Bobby J. Smith and the University of California, Davis’ Abre’ Conner
- Feb. 18: “Exploring the Intersection of Socio-Political Context, Discrimination, Community and Family Racial Socialization and Black Youth Well-being: Evidence from Interventions that Promote Youth Development Opportunities and Positive Health-Related Behaviors,” noon to 1 p.m., featuring Columbia University’s Riana Anderson and Harvard University’s Bianca Baldridge
- Feb. 27: “Investigating the Role of Context and Social Mobility on the Mental Health of Black Americans,” noon to 1 p.m., featuring the University of Michigan’s Darrell Hudson
Participants can earn one free continuing education credit hour for each workshop they attend.