A qualitative focus group study on black social workers’ experiences and perceptions of Afrocentric theory in social work practice

Abstract The study aims to gain an understanding of Black social workers concerning the application of Afrocentric theory into the social work field as an approach to counter the ethnocentricity of social work education stemming from European roots. Stemming from a qualitative focus group research design which conducted twenty-five interviews with Black social work students and professionals to explore structural racism in the social work workplace and its effects on prejudice, discrimination, and dual functionalities of Black workers. Research shows how the ways of thinking derived from Eurocentric attitudes continue to train social work curricula and set professional guidelines, which pay no attention to culturally appropriate ways that are familiar and meaningful to Black social workers. Special importance is paid to the issue of implementation of the Afrocentric paradigmatic approach, which refers to the African cultural values related to the community, spirit, and emotional bonds, as the key aspect for addressing the issue of graduate education and training. The research provides a progressive orientation towards a more antiracist and culturally appreciative social work experience in harmony with the social work education programmes with multicultural student and personnel populations.