By Jaelon Jackson
School of Social Work
Students in a social work macro practice course recently had the chance to learn outside the usual classroom format during a guest interview organized by Dr. Kelli Rogers, social work assistant professor of practice.
Dr. Rogers interviewed Dr. Harry Robinson Jr., longtime president of the African American Museum in Dallas Feb. 12.
She said the interview is part of an ongoing effort to connect course content with real-world experiences and community-based practice.
“Often students are listening to lectures or reviewing material from their textbooks,” Dr. Rogers said. “I wanted to give them something a little different—a chance to see how these concepts play out in real life.”
Held during Black History Month, the conversation highlighted how historical and external factors continue to shape the work of community organizations today.
“I thought this was an excellent opportunity,” Dr. Rogers said. “Dr. Robinson’s role in the community and his impact over the years make this conversation especially relevant to the themes we’ve been covering.”
The interview tied directly into the course’s learning goals, which focus on helping students understand how macro-level systems affect communities and service delivery. Dr. Rogers noted that it also gave students the chance to consider how local organizations adapt and respond to larger social influences.
“This helps students think about how historical context and external factors influence not just services, but the direction and mission of organizations,” she said.
Beyond the administrative side of nonprofit leadership, Dr. Rogers emphasized the importance of looking at the broader picture, including how history continues to shape social service operations and organization structure. She encouraged students to consider how they can apply these lessons in their own careers.
“I try to lead by example,” she said. “Engaging with local organizations and understanding the work that’s already happening in our communities can help social workers better support the people they serve.”
“We hope that by having this museum here, we can play a role, and one, exposing the racial injustice, and two, developing programs that will create an awareness of the contribution that African Americans have made to the building of Dallas and to the building of this country,” Dr. Robinson said.
The interview offered students a real-time look at macro practice in action and how nonprofit leaders navigate past and present challenges in serving their communities.
To view the full interview, you can click here.
