In this live episode of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, recorded at the NASW National Conference in Chicago, Ace and Jerome MT sit down with Dr. Amana Mbise—scholar, mentor, and global advocate in social work. Together they explore the profound intersections of migration, cultural adjustment, authenticity, masculinity, and community engagement.
Dr. Mbise shares insights from his work across Tanzania, Denmark, and the United States, where he has led groundbreaking studies on labor exploitation, health equity, and the lived realities of Black communities. From rites of passage to the role of barbershops as vital cultural hubs, the conversation reveals how identity, responsibility, and connection shape both individual lives and collective liberation.
This episode challenges social workers and educators to move beyond technical “competence” toward authenticity, kinship, and community-rooted practice.
Key Themes & Takeaways:
Cultural adjustments and the challenges families face in new environments
Why authenticity is essential in social work practice and teaching
Mentorship, responsibility, and the work of empowering
Black menBarbershops as safe spaces and sites of identity formation
Rites of passage and the meaning of masculinity across cultures
Community engagement as a foundation for liberation in social work
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene
02:25 – Cultural Adjustments and Family Dynamics
05:03 – Community Support and Integration
07:18 – Diversity in Alaska and Personal Experiences
09:54 – Teaching and Engaging with Students
12:41 – Authenticity in Social Work
15:19 – Building Community and Relationships
17:32 – Empowering Black Men and Cultural Identity
31:20 – Empowering Black Men Through Community Engagement
34:28 – The Role of Barbershops as Safe Spaces
38:46 – Navigating Fatherhood and Masculinity
44:27 – Rites of Passage and Cultural Identity
49:35 – Responsibility in Parenting and Identity
55:17 – Men in Social Work: A Growing Presence
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Keywords :
social work, community engagement, cultural adjustment, authenticity, mentorship, masculinity, Black men, barbershops, identity, responsibility, migration, cultural dynamics, empowerment, revolutionary social work© Revolutionary Social Work
