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Interactive Workshop

African Americans and the African Diaspora

Ecowomanism, Disability Justice, and Healing: An Afrocentric Approach to Social Work

This interactive workshop explores Ecowomanism as a transformative framework for disability justice in social work. Participants will engage in Afrocentric healing approaches, including land-based, spiritual, and somatic practices, to support disabled individuals. Attendees will gain practical tools to integrate culturally responsive, disability-affirming interventions into social work education and practice.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
  1. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 1.Understand Ecowomanism as a framework for disability justice • Recognize the intersections of ableism, environmental racism, and systemic oppression impacting disabled BIPOC communities. • Explore how Black women’s ecological wisdom and spirituality can inform holistic healing in social work.
  2. Integrate land-based and somatic healing practices into social work • Learn how ecotherapy, nature-based mindfulness, and ritual practices can support disabled clients. • Examine the role of breath, micro-movements, and sensory awareness as accessible healing tools.
  3. Apply disability-affirming, Afrocentric interventions in practice • Engage in a guided, adaptive movement-based grounding exercise that centers somatic awareness and body autonomy. • Develop culturally responsive interventions that honor clients’ connection to land, ancestors, and spirit.