Leadership in Action: MPI Chief Program Officer Domonique McCord Leads Session at Black Women’s Work Symposium

Attendees of the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice Black Women’s Work Symposium gather to reflect of their labor across the Chicagoland area.

More than 150 Black women professionals gathered at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice for the Black Women’s Work Symposium. This symposium served as a transformative gathering and place for reflection on the many dimensions of Black female social workers, and their roles within Chicago communities, institutions, and families.

Domonique McCord, the Chief Program Officer of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, played a pivotal role in the symposium, leading a breakout session titled “Black Women’s Labor: Institutions.” In this session, McCord and other Black women professionals delved into the significant role of Black women in institutions, addressing the complexities and nuances of their work.

Reflecting on the event, McCord shared, “Today was transformative in a way that you don’t often get the opportunity to see: so many professional Black women in the field of social work, direct services, clinical work, and helping professions in the same room in leadership positions and in direct service positions.” Her words encapsulate the essence of the symposium—a fantastic opportunity for Black women to share their experiences and connect.

“It made me realize that our stories overlap more than we think,” continued McCord. “We’re standing together. We can be of service to each other at all stages of our careers and development. We don’t realize how much we can help each other just by sharing our stories because our stories are interconnected.”

After a full day of panels and breakout sessions the event closed out with a healing circle that included intergenerational dialogue and final remarks.

Black Women’s Work Symposium not only celebrated the achievements of Black women professionals who work in social work but also fostered a sense of community and solidarity that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on participants’ individual and collective journeys.