More than 2,400 Social Workers set to attend NASW National Conference in Chicago

CHICAGO, IL - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) National Conference on June 16-19 will give social workers the tools, guidance and the inspiration they need as members of the profession work to defend the human rights and social services that are under attack by the Trump 2.0 Administration.

The conference, which will be held at the Hyatt on East Wacker Drive, will also offer social workers guidance on how to deal with other pressing issues of the day, including the growing influence of social media and the potential for artificial intelligence to either harm the well-being of Americans or help social workers deliver better mental health care and other services.

"The theme of this year's conference is 'Celebrating Our Legacy: Developing the Future,'" said NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C. "We will draw from the lessons of social work Pioneers of the past, such as Labor Secretary Frances Perkins and Civil Rights Leader Whitney Young Jr. and combine them with advice from leading social work minds to help members of the profession navigate today's tough and divisive political and social climate."

"We will also hear from leading social workers in government, who will talk to social workers about why the power of organizing now is more important than ever and why there really is strength in numbers," Estreet said.

The conference will attract more than 2,400 attendees in person or remotely, making it the best attended NASW national conference. Highlights of the conference include:

• Appearances from Illinois State Sen. Karina Vill and Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents the Illinois 3^rd district in Congress.
• A keynote address from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) President Deborah Archer.
• A CEO Speaker Series hosted by Dr. Estreet featuring influential guests who will discuss timely topics that need attention, including improving the mental health of Black men and boys; the power of community organizing; and reducing community violence. The speaker at the community organizing event will be Malcolm Kenyatta, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
• A plenary on artificial intelligence featuring a conversation with Dr. Lauri Goldkind, professor at the Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Science; Eric Rice, professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; Jamie Sundvall, assistant provost of artificial intelligence at Touro University; Juan Rios, chair of the Department of Social Work and Public Administration at Seton Hall University; and Rachael Dietkus, founder of Social Workers Who Design.
• A plenary session on the growing role of social media featuring Loyola University social work professor Jonathan Singer, one of the nation's leading experts on social work and technology.
• A Social Work Film Festival featuring three films covering issues important to social work, including a documentary on a social worker who works with former prison inmates trying to readjust to life after incarceration.
• And a performance form award-winning spoken word artist Mayda Del Valle, who appeared on Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on HBO and Broadway.
• A Juneteenth Celebration on June 19 featuring SiriusXM satellite radio host, racial justice attorney, advocate, author, and nonprofit leader Lurie Daniel.

The conference comes during troubling times for our nation and the social work profession. The Trump Administration is seeking actions that could harm many of the people who social workers serve, including especially vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, immigrants, veterans, and people who are transgender.

"NASW is deeply concerned about several issues, including proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, attacks on the rights of people to get gender affirming mental health care and health care, and the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives," Estreet said. "The Trump Administration's actions have also hampered the ability of social workers to do their jobs and deteriorated the quality of care, including workforce reductions at Veterans Administration We hope this conference will energize social workers so they can continue advocating and give them additional skills they need in these pivotal times."