This course is designed to deepen social workers' understanding of Black racial trauma and its impact on relationship-building within the Black community. This session will explore the philosophical foundations of Black racial trauma, examining its root causes and how it manifests both at the community and individual levels. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to support Black clients through racial trauma with sensitivity and cultural competence. By the end of the course, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better serve and empower your Black clients in a meaningful way.
Please note: This material was adapted from a 2025 OLC Webinar in collaboration with the presenter.
Learning Objective 1: Understand a definition of race-based trauma and Black racial trauma, it’s psychiatric links to PTSD and how this presents quite covertly in Black individuals and communities that interface with social services.
Learning Objective 2: Unpack the historic and modern-day role of social services and social workers proliferating Black racial trauma in black clients and community members.
Learning Objective 3: Learn a few introductory principles and tips to supporting, acknowledge, identifying and addressing Black racial trauma in clients and communities from a standpoint of person-first care and cultural competence.
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Renata Hall is a PhD candidate, published Black feminist scholar, Woman of Distinction 2022 Awardee, co-creator of the Learning in Colour digital platform, and former Inclusion and Anti-Racism Education Manager at McMaster University. Currently situated at the University of British Columbia as the Anti-Racist Educational Consultant for the Center of Teaching and Learning, Renata lives all things social justice through her counselling, teaching, and research pursuits and previous front line social work in housing and homelessness, mental health, and violence against women sectors. She loves building community connections, challenging the status quo, and amplifying the voices of the margins.
