ABSW, INC..

In October of 1967, a group of practicing social workers and social work educators came together to discuss the need for an organization that would address the particular social welfare needs of individuals, families and communities of people of African descent in Philadelphia. Initially meeting in the home of Audrey Pittman, a faculty member at Temple University, the group grew quickly and required a larger venue for meetings. Adopting the name of Alliance of Black Social Workers (ABSW), the group moved toward formal organization and announced itself publicly in January 1968.

The Alliance of Black Social Workers held its General Membership meetings at the historic Wharton Center facilities in North Philadelphia. Initially meetings were held at the location near 33rd and Susquehanna Avenue and then were moved to the building at 1710 N. 22nd Street near Columbia Avenue (now Cecil B. Moore Avenue).  The ABSW founding members had determined that the organization would focus its energies on communities in North Philadelphia where the greatest need for advocacy existed. The first president was LeVerne McCummings, former president of Cheyney University.

Founding members, including Audrey Pittman, Audrey Russell, and William Meek, attended the National Conference of Social Welfare (NCSW) in San Francisco, CA in May 1968. They joined with like minded professionals and students in protest against that organization’s lack of sensitivity to the particular needs of people of African descent in the area of social welfare. A walkout resulted, giving birth to the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. (NABSW).  As one of five independently formed groups from around the country, ABSW joined NABSW as an affiliate chapter.

As NABSW took form, plans began for a national conference. At a meeting in Chicago, Illinois in August 1968, ABSW submitted a bid to host the national conference. A member, Arthur Brown, was chosen to represent ABSW and to bid for the conference. Coincidentally, the meeting was held at the same time as the now famous Democratic Convention of 1968. ABSW hosted the first NABSW conference in 1969 in Philadelphia.

The initial vision for national conferences was that they be held in the community. With that in mind, the first conference in Philadelphia in 1969 was convened at the Ebony Hotel (formerly Chesterfield Hotel) at the corner of Broad and Oxford Streets. Workshops and other activities took place in nearby churches and a public school, all in walking distance. Subsequent national conferences hosted by ABSW occurred in 1994 and 2010.

ABSW was approved as a non-profit corporation on June 1, 1972, establishing the name as Alliance of Black Social Workers, Inc. The incorporators were Thaddeus P. Mathis, Marlene Patterson, Audrey Pittman, Audrey Russell and Hyacinth Graham. The initial location and post office address was listed as 3609 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, the residential address of then President Audrey C. Russell. The chapter grew steadily through the 1970s and 1980s boasting of a diverse membership of social work practitioners and students, Welfare Rights Organization members, social work faculty, and other interested community members. Under the presidencies of Dr. Thaddeus P. Mathis and Tawana Ford Sabbath, the chapter was instrumental in supporting the formation of chapters in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Chester. The first state conference was held in Philadelphia in 1979 while Tawana Ford Sabbath was president.

In 1979, the opportunity came for the organization to purchase a property in North Philadelphia.  A founding member, Audrey Pittman, became aware that a friend and member of her church, Jones Tabernacle United Methodist Church, was interested in selling her home. Since the house was located in North Philadelphia just one block away from the church, the officers and members of ABSW agreed to make on offer for purchase. That offer of $3,500.00 was made and accepted. Members of the chapter pledged at least $300.00 apiece to pay for the property. On August 23, 1979, the Alliance of Black Social Workers, Inc. purchased the property at 1924 W. Diamond Street from Sara C. Griswold, John J. Griswold, Jr., and W. Bernard Griswold. The attorney that represented ABSW was noted African American lawyer Charles E. Duncan, Jr.

Under the presidency of the late Barbara Ramsey, the headquarters become the site for a child welfare service led by Dr. Joseph Crumbley. Major renovations were made to the property at that time. The chapter experience a lull due to decline in membership in the mid-1980s. President Alice Hinton is recognized as the impetus behind the survival of the organization.

A resurgence occurred in the late 1980s when newly graduated social workers join the chapter. Julius A. Hayes, Jr. was voted into the presidential seat, and a long with a cadre of dedicated members restored the chapter to its former level of stability. An amendment to the original letters of incorporated was submitted by President Julius A. Hayes, Jr. to register the legal address of the corporation as 1924 W. Diamond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. That amendment was approved as of May 3, 1995. Under the next president, Julianne James, the organization resumed the work to be registered as tax exempt. The 501(C)(3) corporation status became official on May 24, 2007.

The vision of Dr. Audrey Pittman and others was to have a permanent location out of which ABSW would operate. In addition to having a regular meeting location, the chapter envisioned offering services to the surrounding communities. The headquarters at 1924 W. Diamond Street has served as a regular meeting space for the chapter as well as the location for child welfare projects, a social work practicum site, social work student receptions, coat and school bag giveaways and so much more.

Under her leadership, President Karen Solebo pursued having the ABSW house registered as a historic site. Presently the Akoma Rites of Passage program and Fatherhood Initiative hold regular meetings in our historically registered edifice. ABSW is also an approved Continuing Education Unit (CEU) provider in the state of Pennsylvania. On a quarterly basis the chapter offers presentations that carry CEU opportunities. A local conference over the years has brought together hundreds of professionals and community members to consider the important issues facing our people. Offsite programs have included an annual Senior Luncheon at senior adult centers around the city and Kwanzaa celebrations in various locations.

ABSW has been active from its inception in supporting the development of student chapters in the Philadelphia area. As early as 1969, students and faculty of African descent at University of Pennsylvania worked with the aid of the chapter to establish the organization that exists at present. Chapters at Temple University, Bryn Mawr College and Widener University have benefited from the advice of ABSW members. Student chapters have come alongside the chapter in support of the Annual Martin Luther King Coat Drive.

Membership in ABSW is open to any person of African descent who is interested in promoting the social welfare of others. There is no degree or professional affiliation requirement for membership, therefore opening the opportunity for people of many persuasions to work together to achieve a common goal.

Prepared by Tawana Ford Sabbath, MSS, PhD