African-americans and social work: An overview of the ante-bellum through progressive eras

The history of social welfare can provide important insights into current policy and practice. Although a disproportionate number of social work clients are minorities, including African- Americans, little comprehensive information has been compiled on the development of social services for this population. This paper presents an overview of social welfare services available to African- Americans in the Antebellum period through the Progressive Era. African-American sponsored organizations, white philanthropy, public agencies, and inter-racial efforts are discussed in the context of major political and social developments in these eras. Organizations discussed include: Freedman’s Aid Societies, African-American mutual aid and benevolent societies, fraternal orders, the Freedman’s Bureau, the Women’s Club movement, settlement houses, Charity Organization Societies, and the National Urban League.