GrandStories: Profiles in Aging

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 advoc...

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 Do...

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 f...

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 Heal...

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 o...

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 cit...

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 Univ...

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 experi...

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 intervi...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Shelton Sullivan about the influence of his "village" as he grew up in Los Angeles, his powerful experiences in law, in teaching, and in seminary and spiritual work, 12 compelling lessons to pass on to the next generation, and more. Shelton Sullivan was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is the husband of La’Tonya Vir...

Dr. Robert Cosby sits down to speak with Dr. Cudore L. Snell. In Part 2 of this powerful interview, he speaks about the rich culture and history of the District Six area of Cape Town as well as the social justice issues he sees as important today after having grown up during the Apartheid era. He also discusses the importance of respect for all human beings, the power of diversity to enrich o...

Dr. Robert Cosby sits down to speak with Dr. Cudore L. Snell , current professor at the Howard University School of Social Work and Assistant Provost for International Programs at Howard University. In Part 1 of this interview, Dr. Snell offers vivid insights into growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era , including details and memories regarding losing his childhood home to t...

Dr. Cosby continues his conversation with NASW President Dr. Mildred "Mit" Joyner. In Part 2 of this interview, Dr. Joyner speaks about accomplishments she is proud of, the value in listening to our elders to learn about their stories and legacy, and the importance of bringing the student perspective to leadership roles. She also speaks on "bringing social justice to the forefront of social work"...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Dr. Mildred "Mit" Joyner. Dr. Joyner is the current President of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She also serves as President of the North America Region of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and she has extensive experience in child and family social work, organizational change with a focus on equity, and so...

In Part 2 of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts about critical race theory, the power of discovering Black literature and art, police brutality and prison reform, healthy eating, and the strengths of Black families. Dr. Batiste-Roberts, a former president of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), serves as the Director of the Thomas F. Freema...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts. Dr. Batiste-Roberts, a former president of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), serves as the Director of the Thomas F. Freeman Center for Forensic Excellence at Texas Southern University and adjunct professor of Social Work. She also serves as a Permanency Convener for Children’s Protective Services. She...

In Part 2 of this interview, Dr. Robert Cosby continues his conversation with Ms. Anita Bellamy Shelton. Ms. Shelton, widely regarded as a “living legend” by her contemporaries and those who look up to her civil and human rights work, has worked tirelessly throughout her career to create change in housing, anti-poverty measures, domestic workers’ rights, human rights and discrimination, economic o...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Ms. Anita Bellamy Shelton. Ms. Shelton, widely regarded as a “living legend” by her contemporaries and those who look up to her civil and human rights work, has worked tirelessly throughout her career to create change in housing, anti-poverty measures, domestic workers’ rights, human rights and discrimination, economic opportunity, and much more. She o...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Dr. Ruby Gourdine. Dr. Gourdine is currently on the faculty as a senior professor at the Howard University School of Social Work. She has had a long and illustrious career as a clinician, administrator, consultant, and researcher in the areas of juvenile justice, foster care and adoption (child welfare), medical social work, school social work, and mos...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with Dr. Wise E. Allen. Dr. Allen is an HUSSW alumnus, and he has served in many roles including Presidents of four state community colleges and also the Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District in Berkley, California. He has been part of local and state government as well as academia, having worked with several governors including former Govern...

In Part 2 of this compelling interview, Dr. Robert Cosby continues his conversation with John E. Jacob, civil rights leader, corporate executive, and Howard University alumnus. In this episode, Jacob discusses his work as President of the National Urban League, his time spent with the late Vernon Jordan, Jr., and more. Jacob has served in many prominent roles, including his tenure as President and...

In Part 1 of this astonishing interview, Dr. Robert Cosby speaks with John E. Jacob, civil rights leader, corporate executive, and Howard University alumnus. Jacob has served in many prominent roles, including his tenure as President and CEO of the National Urban League from 1982 to 1994, his position as executive vice president of global communications for Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., and his...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Dr. Leland K. Hall, Sr., Howard University School of Social Work alumnus and an expert in mental health, psychiatric interventions, and community organizing. Dr. Hall earned his PhD in Psychology and Mental Health Administration from Union Institute and University. He has worked in grassroots and high level positions, including work at St. Elizabeth’s H...

In this episode, Dr. Robert Cosby interviews Dr. Annie Woodley Brown, retired social worker and faculty member of the Howard University School of Social Work. She is an expert in child welfare, adolescent mental health, social welfare history, and a variety of other issues. Throughout the interview, Dr. Brown speaks about the value of spirituality, the power of listening, and the importance of the...