The National Association of Black Social Workers was started 50 years ago because a group of African-American social workers didn’t feel the needs of black families were being adequately addressed by the field’s largest professional organization that was largely white.

Today, through more than 100 chapters across the United States, the NABSW continues to address issues confronting African-American families.

Daryl V. Fraser, a 39-year-old licensed clinical social worker who teaches undergraduate and graduate social work students at Virginia Commonwealth University, is president of the Richmond Association of Black Social Workers. He is leading the local chapter’s efforts for advocacy, social action and education.

“Social workers tend to be modest and are not very good about promoting the work they are involved in,” Mr. Fraser says. “I want to make people aware that we are here and doing good work, even if it’s behind the scenes.”

The RABSW, which is 70 members strong, is focusing on what it calls “The Five Pillars” — public school education, mass incarceration, housing, health care and voting rights.

“A lot of our social problems in the city of Richmond and our country are directly related to our deep history of racism,” Mr. Fraser says. “It’s inherent in all of our major systems, such as education, criminal justice and health care.” He says social workers act as advocates for their clients in these systems.

He talks about health outcomes and the large numbers of African-Americans who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes.

“It’s not just because someone may be eating badly,” he says. “You have to consider the conditions where they live,” possibly in “food deserts where they may not have access to fresh, healthy foods.”

Mr. Fraser previously worked as a hospital social worker with HIV patients, some of whom were not taking their medication. While doctors saw taking the medicine as a simple solution to the problem, Mr. Fraser discovered some of the underlying barriers and challenges to a patient’s progress that may not be discussed with the physician.

“If someone didn’t have a place to live, the last thing on their mind was taking their medicine,” he explains. “Or they stopped taking their medicine because it was upsetting their stomach. And it was upsetting them because they were taking it on an empty stomach because they didn’t have any food.

“Once you start to peel back the onion and find out what’s going on, you can help them find the resources to get food or housing,” he says, explaining a social worker’s role.

African-American social workers can be critically important in assisting families of color. “In my experience, a lot of our clients have had interactions with professionals who do not look like them,” he says.

But for black families, working with an African-American social worker can provide an ease of communication and shared cultural experience that speeds relationship building with that social worker.

For example, he explains, many African-Americans have close family friends who are called “aunts” or “cousins.” “While there is no blood relation, they are still family. Within the African-American community, there’s an understanding that family is not just blood. It’s understanding those little nuances that can make a difference” in working with clients, he says.

“We value human relationships and try to leverage those relationships to facilitate the process of sustainable change and well-being on the individual, family and community levels,” he says.

To that end, the RABSW’s goal is to “identify the needs in Richmond, and then to work with like-minded individuals on issues of equity,” he notes.

Meet this week’s volunteer, advocate and Personality, Daryl V. Fraser:

Volunteer involvement: President, Richmond Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers.

Date and place of birth: Sept. 17 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Current residence: Chesterfield County.

Occupation: Assistant professor in teaching, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work.

What I do: I am a licensed clinical social worker by profession and I have worked in the areas of child welfare, mental health and HIV/AIDS during the past 18 years. I am currently on faculty at the VCU School of Social Work teaching field education in the master’s of social work and bachelor’s of social work programs.

Alma mater: Bachelor’s of science in psychology in 2000 and master’s of social work, 2007, both from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Family: I am happily married to my wife, April, for the past 10 years. We have four amazing children, ages 6, 8, 11 and 18.

When RABSW was founded: The Richmond Association of Black Social Workers was founded in 1971. Our founding members are Dr. Norma Goode, Hilda Warden, Willie Dell, James “Jim” Ryan, Thomas “Tom” Baynham, Ed Brown, Oliver Epps, Elmer Seay and Clinton Strane.

Organization’s mission: The National Association of Black Social Workers, comprised of people of African ancestry, is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery and research. The NABSW will work to create a world in which people of African ancestry will live free from racial domination, economic exploitation and cultural oppression. In collaboration with national, international and other appropriate groups, the NABSW will continue to leverage its collective expertise to strategically develop the capacity of people of African ancestry to sustain and flourish. The NABSW’s vision is guided by the principles of the Nguzo Saba, which are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith, and the seven cardinal virtues of Ma’at, which are right, truth, justice, order, reciprocity, balance and harmony. 

Why I am excited about this organization: I have been a member of the association since 2002 when I started graduate school. The RABSW has significantly contributed to my identity as a social work professional and I am most excited about bringing in new members to share in all that the RABSW has to offer.

No. 1 objective as president: To increase our capacity and visibility in the Richmond area and surrounding counties so that the expertise of our organization is leveraged at the local, state and national levels.

When I knew social work was for me: I like to think that social work is not a profession that you choose, but it’s a profession that chooses you. I knew that I was in the right field when I started my first job in the human services field 17 years ago working with children. My ability to relate to, understand and connect with children I was working with came very naturally and was very rewarding. It’s a feeling that you just can’t put into words.

The importance of social work in our society: Social workers are important in our society because of the approach and perspective we bring to solving problems. We use a holistic approach known as the biopsychosocial perspective, which considers not just the presenting problems, but also the historical significance, the family, community and cultural contexts.

Advice to aspiring social workers: I advise all aspiring social workers to get a professional mentor. I’ve had several throughout my career who have helped guide me through some very critical decisions. 

Social workers need: Self-care. Social workers are probably the most dedicated, mission-driven people in an organization. We often work beyond the normal 40-hour work week and put the work and others before ourselves. With the kind of problems many social workers deal with on a regular basis, self-care is important to re-center and renew yourself so that you don’t get burned out.  

I knew I was grown up when: I moved out and started paying bills. 

How I start the day: I always start out the day trying to figure out what I can do better than the previous day. 

A perfect day for me is: Sitting at home with my family, watching television, listening to good music and enjoying good food. 

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I’m a nerd. I love Scrabble and I love to play Words with Friends.

A quote that I am inspired by is: “I am because you are, and because you are, therefore I am.” This is an African proverb that I learned through the NABSW. It reminds me that we don’t accomplish anything in our life as individuals. It also acknowledges the contributions of our ancestors, family, friends and co-workers on our success and overall well-being. 

My friends describe me as: Funny and outgoing. But more than that, they would say I am hardworking and dedicated to my family. 

Top of my “to do” list is: Pray.

The person who influenced me the most: My grandmother. She was the picture-perfect example for me of what it means to be selfless. She gave so much without asking for anything in return. 

Book that influenced me the most: “Callus on My Soul: A Memoir” by Dick Gregory.

What I’m reading now: “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond. 

Next goal: I am exploring my options for doctoral studies and would like to get my Ph.D.