• About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Download App
  • Virtual Summit
  • Benefit Hub for Subscribers Only
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
Find/Post Jobs
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good
No Result
View All Result
Home Social Work

Celebrities Who Were Social Workers

Deona Hooper, MSWbyDeona Hooper, MSW
April 7, 2019
in Social Work
0
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on PinterestShare via EmailShare on Reddit

When we think of Social Workers, we often think in a singular dimension. It is often assumed that a person who enters into the field of social work do so as a last resort or looking for a way to breeze through college. When in fact, it is just the opposite.

Dr. Steve Perry

Many who enter the field have talents and gifts that would allow them to excel in other areas. However, their backgrounds or experiences forced them to develop an overwhelming sense of compassion for vulnerable populations which increases their desire to help and serve others. Here are few examples of Celebrities who were Social Workers before they became famous.

Reality TV Show “Save My Son” star Dr. Steven Perry received his Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. In the late 90’s, Dr. Perry founded a program in Connecticut called ConCAP which was a collegiate awareness program, and the program was hugely successful. As a result, the program sent 100% of its first generation graduates from low-income homes to four-year colleges.  Since then, Dr. Perry has carved a name for himself as an educator, therapist, and motivational speaker. He is an accomplished author and columnist for Essence Magazine.

Alice Walker

Award Winning Writer and Poet, Alice Walker worked as a Social Worker, teacher, and lecturer during the Civil Rights Movement after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in New York.  Before gaining notoriety for her literary works, she moved to Mississippi to fight the racial injustices during the Civil Rights Movement.

Ms. Walker is most famous for writing The Color Purple which was later adopted for the silver screen starring Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldburg and Danny Glover, and she was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize for writing the fictional novel.

Samuel L. Jackson

Award winning actor Samuel L. Jackson, who is most known for his roles in Pulp Fiction, Jungle Fever, and a Time to Kill, worked as Social Worker for two years in Los Angeles. Mr. Jackson graduated from Morehouse University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1969.

The now acclaimed actor during his youth was active in the black power movement where he protested the absence of any blacks on the Board of Trustees at his historically black all male college. Mr. Jackson has appeared in over 100 films and has been named the highest grossing actor of all time with an estimated gross of 7.2 Billion dollars.

John Amos
John Amos

John Amos who is most famous for playing James on “Good Times” studied Social Work at Colorado State University after receiving an athletic scholarship to play football. Mr. Amos majored in social work to prepare for his work within the black community.

He went on to become a Social Worker at the New York’s Vera Institute of Justice before catching the acting bug, and his break-out role was as a weather man on the Mary Tyler-Moore show in 1970. Mr. Amos also won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Kunta Kinte in the historic mini-series “Roots”.

Although these next two did not actually work as social workers, they do deserve an honorable mention for obtaining degrees in Social Work, and they are Money Guru Suze Orman and long time beau of Oprah Winfrey, Stedman Graham.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Social Workers Protesting in the Street? Where in the World….UK Edition

Next Post

Social Workers Protesting in the Street: Tarheel Edition

Deona Hooper, MSW

Deona Hooper, MSW

Deona Hooper, MSW is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Social Work Helper, and she has experience in nonprofit communications, tech development and social media consulting. Deona has a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Management and Community Practice as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Related Posts

Journalist Turned Social Worker?
Opinion

Journalist Turned Social Worker?

January 24, 2023
Technology and Entrepreneurship in Social Work
Business

Technology and Entrepreneurship in Social Work

January 11, 2023
Morgan State University Professor Anthony Estreet to be next CEO of NASW
News

Morgan State University Professor Anthony Estreet to be next CEO of NASW

January 5, 2023
ABA Therapy Is the Gold Standard for Tennessee Children With Autism
Mental Health

ABA Therapy Is the Gold Standard for Tennessee Children With Autism

September 19, 2022
What is Family Psychoeducation Therapy?
Mental Health

What is Family Psychoeducation Therapy?

September 7, 2022
Human Trafficking Case Manager and Research Analyst Focus Group
Education

Human Trafficking Case Manager and Research Analyst Focus Group

September 7, 2022
Next Post
Social Workers Protesting in the Street: Tarheel Edition

Social Workers Protesting in the Street: Tarheel Edition

Frustrated User

Top 5 Best Free Website Builders For Your Practice

Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
What Can Be Done To Solve The Foster Care Crisis?

Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

June 24, 2022
What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

June 19, 2022
Want to Work With Children: 5 Skills and Qualities You Should Be Working On

Want to Work With Children: 5 Skills and Qualities You Should Be Working On

April 7, 2019

Connect With Us

Twitter
FlipboardInstagram
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram TikTok
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good

  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Buy Merch
  • Download App
  • Terms of Service

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • News
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Politics
    • Criminal Justice
    • Social Work
    • Education
    • LGBTQ
    • Technology
    • Disability
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Webinars
  • Virtual Summit
  • Career Center
  • Download App
  • Subscriber Benefit Hub
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
Sign Up with Linked In
OR

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version