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In part two of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby continues his conversation with Lastenia Brathwaite-Pretlow, social worker and longtime District of Columbia child welfare professional. Pretlow reflects on the people and experiences that shaped her, her commitment to civil and human rights, and the social justice issues that concern her today, including education, truancy, healthcare, voting, and more. She also shares wisdom about aging, finding purpose, staying connected, and making time to appreciate life and nature.

In part one of a two-part interview, Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Lastenia Brathwaite-Pretlow, social worker and longtime District of Columbia child welfare professional. Pretlow shares stories from her decades-long career, reflecting on the complexities of working with and caring for children and families. She reflects on lessons learned regarding the way issues like substance use, mental health challenges, and family separation can affect the families in our care. She also discusses her role in advocating for changes to DC’s child welfare and foster care system, and the importance of family-centered practice, prevention, and social workers as agents of systemic change.

Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Dr. Linda Whitby, physician, president of the Oasis Foundation, and advocate for equitable healthcare. Dr. Whitby shares insights from her decades-long career in medicine, discussing health disparities, maternal health, preventive care, addiction, and the importance of empowering patients through education. She also reflects on challenges involving trust in the healthcare and insurance systems and how communication in healthcare can improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

"Decision-making needs to be closest to the people." Dr. Robert Cosby continues his conversation with Rev. Raymond Jetson, founder of Aging While Black, in Part 2 of this two-part interview. Jetson reflects on lessons from leading Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, the importance of community-centered decision-making, and the values that have shaped his leadership. He also shares wisdom for those working to address systemic inequities, strengthen intergenerational communities, and create meaningful change in their lives by leaning into their personal strengths and power. He asks us to consider: " Who can I open a door for? Whose voice that's been silenced can I amplify? What are the seeds that I can plant that will bear fruit even when I am not here?"

Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Rev. Raymond Jetson, whose career has spanned ministry, public service, state government, and national advocacy as founder of the national movement Aging While Black, in Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Jetson reflects on growing up in segregated Baton Rouge, the lasting impact of Jim Crow, and the community that shaped his values. He also discusses the experiences that guided his lifelong commitment to leadership, expanding community-based services for people with developmental disabilities, and advancing equity and choice in aging for Black older adults. Please stay tuned for PART 2, coming next week!

Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Dr. Leland K. Hall for his second appearance on Grand Stories: Profiles in Aging, exploring Hall’s remarkable career in social work and mental health. Hall reflects on his educational journey, early work in psychiatric hospitals, graduate training at Howard University, and decades of leadership advancing community mental health services, community organizing, and advocacy for families and children. In all he does, Dr. Hall emphasizes the importance of caring for people and letting that care drive your work.

In her interview with Dr. Robert Cosby, Dr. Amy Billingsley opens up about her colorful family history, the difficulties of losing loved ones at such a young age, her gift of "knitting people together," her involvement with HistoryMakers, and Black Women's Agenda and her powerful impact in her campaigns and working with William Clinton, Alexis Herman, Barbara Skinner-Williams, and Dorothy Height.

Dr. Andrew Billingsley, Sociologist, Author, College Provost, Vice Chancellor, President and Professor shares with Dr. Robert Cosby his rich history. Starting with his childhood in Marion, Alabama and his recognition of what he needed to expand his intellect. He shared that thirst for knowledge and explained how "his intellect began" when transitioning to Birmingham, Alabama due to his father's injury. Dr. Andrew Billingsley touches on some of his greatest contributions including his writing "Black Families in White America." He discusses his promotion of peace and anti-poverty, and his love for former slave and U.S. Congress Representative Robert Smalls. Dr. Billingsley, recognized as a giant and scholar in the field of Sociology and Social Work, is the author of over ten books, four co-authored books, numerous edited books and journal articles. Dr. Billingsley received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science in 1951 from Grinnell University.  In 1956, he graduated with his MS degree from Boston University and his PhD from Brandeis University in 1964. He is a former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of California at Berkeley, Provost at Howard University, President of Morgan State University, and senior scholar and leader at other universities including University of Maryland and the University of South Carolina. He is recognized for his leadership and authorship. To learn more about Dr. Andrew Billingsley, please select here.

The conversation continues as Annette Solomon shares on the barriers of social work including the funding of programs. Ms. Solomon also talks about "planned failure," for "social workers not to get in their own way," self-care, the widening of the wealth gap, the reassessment of our value system, and the slow erosion of rights.

In the first of a two part episode, Howard University Graduate from the School of Social Work Annette Solomon discusses with Dr. Robert Cosby the inspiration driven by her parents and the impactful presence that Howard University had on her as a student. Ms. Solomon has a reputable resume in macro social work and talks about her prior roles at Urban League Greater Washington and Upper Cardozo Health Center. The podcast features music performed by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III.

Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Dr. Frederica Barrow. She speaks about her upbringing in the rural town of Greensboro, North Carolina during the Jim Crow era, and her experiences with discrimination and racism that thrived at the time. Dr. Frederica Barrow also shares her experiences of fighting injustices by participating in sit-ins and boycotting for civil social justice. Dr. Barrow stressed some of the challenges in the field of education including how some governing officials are preventing schools from having access to African American literature. Lastly, Dr. Barrow plainly states how the prison system systemically disadvantages African Americans, including the devastating and lasting impact on children whose parents are incarcerated. Dr. Frederica Barrow graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from North Carolina Central State University in 1960. She furthered her education and received a Master's Degree in Social Work from Clark-Atlanta University in 1962. In 1980, Dr. Frederica Barrow obtained a Master's Degree from the Cary School of Business at Johns Hopkins University. Later in her life, Dr. Frederica Barrow went back to school and received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Howard University in 2001. The podcast features music performed by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, Under the direction of Fred Irby III.

In Part 2 of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby continues his conversation with Patricia Martin-O'Meally, ACSW, LICSW, LCSWC, BCD, CPM. She goes back to discuss her time growing up in Pittsburgh, including her experiences witnessing segregation and white flight, participating in Girl Scouts, and the impacts of having a phenomenal mother committed to giving her a broad range of experiences in the city. She also discusses the impacts of having several phenomenal speakers and visitors throughout her experience at Virginia Union and the history of the Richmond 37. She also discusses social justice issues including food insecurity, voting rights, mass incarceration, the impacts of climate change, and the importance of looking globally at all issues that impact vulnerable populations. The podcast features music performed by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III.

In Part 1 of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Patricia Martin-O'Meally, ACSW, LICSW, LCSWC, BCD, CPM. From a childhood interaction with Ms. Josephine Baker to the moment she heard about the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Martin-O'Meally recounts powerful stories for listeners. She discusses participating in student protests during her time at Virginia Union University, her work with older persons and mentally ill clients with Family and Child Services in Washington, D.C. (now called Family Matters of Greater Washington), and navigating systems as a tenant advocate. The podcast features music performed by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III.

In Part 2 of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Don Clarkson about his work as a social work pioneer in the modalities of group work and psychodrama, including a discussion of his work training trial lawyers and their clients in psychodrama in order to improve client outcomes. You will be riveted by many of his stories about vulnerability, empowerment, and the ways that attachment experiences as a child can impact attachment styles throughout adulthood. He also discusses his time at Howard University and some challenges with aging, including dealing with ever-changing technology and recently transitioning into a senior living community. Listen now to learn about Mr. Clarkson's illustrious career and the impact he has had on the field of social work. Don Clarkson received his M.S.W. from Howard University. He is certified as a Trainer-Educator-Practitioner by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy and was a member of the original Board of Examiners. After his psychodrama training, he joined the psychodrama staff of St. Elizabeths and later the Washington Psychiatric Institute. He then joined the faculty of Howard University as well as the staff of the Student Counseling Center. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Don pioneered psychodrama training for trial lawyers through the National College for Criminal Trial Lawyers. The podcast features music performed by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III.

In Part 1 of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Don Clarkson about his experiences with discrimination and family challenges while growing up with three of his aunts in the Houston, TX area. From his memories of this time, he shares with us many pieces of wisdom, including the idea that "Pain is inevitable, but we don’t learn without it." Check back in two weeks for Part 2 of our interview with Don Clarkson.  Don Clarkson received his M.S.W. from Howard University. He is certified as a Trainer-Educator-Practitioner by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy and was a member of the original Board of Examiners. After his psychodrama training, he joined the psychodrama staff of St. Elizabeths and later the Washington Psychiatric Institute. He then joined the faculty of Howard University as well as the staff of the Student Counseling Center. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Don pioneered psychodrama training for trial lawyers through the National College for Criminal Trial Lawyers. The podcast features music performed by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III.