A History of How We Care for Our Own: An Introduction to “Race Work”

In Search of Black Power

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We welcome back S. Rasheem to In Search of Black Power! In this episode we are exposed to the concept of “Race Work”. In conversation with LBS Dir. of Research Lawrence Grandpre, Rasheem exposes us to critical figures in debates throughout the history of “Race Work”, including integration vs. nationalism & strategic navigation vs. confrontation with oppressive systems.
Rasheem frames the history of Black People’s expansive definition of community care of race work as opposed to the modern concept of social work. Rasheem compares communities holistic linking of spiritual, economic and political self-help as “Race Work” compared to professionalized social work, arguing social work’s increased focus on professionalization and its institutionalization in white institutions risks losing the critical functions of race work and accepting tacit anti-blackness, making Race Work a necessary intervention into social work education and practice.
This is an introduction to the online, New Timbuktu seminar on Race Work taught by S. Rasheem, running from Tuesday in late August through September 2025. For more info visit https://lbsbaltimore.com/series/2025-new-timbuktu-seminar-series-race-work/
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In Search of Black Power is a Black-owned internet show and podcast. This podcast is sponsored and produced by Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS).
The internet show is published in collaboration with Black Liberation Media (BLM)