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2-QTPOC Social Work Impact Award

The Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity and the Council on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression present the Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans People of Color (2-QTPOC) Social Work Impact Award. The 2-QTPOC Social Work Impact Award seeks to recognize and honor a midcareer or senior social work scholar who has made significant and outstanding contributions to the field of social work through teaching, mentorship, research, and service related to issues that affect 2-QTPOC communities. These issues include oppression, colonialism, and/or the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, spirituality/religion, class, age, (dis)ability, immigration, and health status and/or well-being.



The 2021 2-QTPOC Social Work Impact Award recipient is Dr. Ramona Beltrán, MSW, PhD, of the University of Denver. Dr. Beltrán, is a Xicana of Yaqui and Mexica descent and a dancer/activist/scholar. As an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work her scholarship is committed to interrupting legacies of historical trauma that affect Indigenous and Latinx communities with a special emphasis on issues facing LGBTQ-Two Spirit communities. She focuses on disrupting the problem-focused approach to understanding Indigenous/Latinx health that dominates mainstream research. She does this through centering culture in knowledge production with and for Indigenous/Latinx communities.

Award Requirements

The nominee’s contributions could be significant and outstanding peer-reviewed scholarship that enriches the knowledge-base of 2-QTPOC communities, their needs, and effective interventions; an activity or program that fosters or sustains a positive and inclusive culture and climate for 2-QTPOC communities in social work education; and/or mentorship of 2-QTPOC junior faculty members and/or students.

Given that this award is designated to highlight an area of social work scholarship that has been historically and systematically marginalized, applicants who self-identify as LGBTQ+ persons of color or two-spirit persons are encouraged to apply. An application consists of the following:

  • A nomination or self-nomination letter that provides details about specific contributions of the nominee’s teaching/mentorship, research, and/or service in areas that affect 2-QTPOC communities
  • The nominee’s curriculum vitae
  • At least one letter of support

Nominees must be midcareer or senior career social work scholars and CSWE members to be eligible for this award.

At least two members of CRECD and two members of CSOGIE will review the nominations and select the awardee. Biographical information and a photo of the awardee will appear on the CSWE website and may be included in the Annual Program Meeting (APM) Final Program, if space permits. The awardee will be expected to attend an award presentation during the APM at either the CRECD or CSOGIE reception. This award includes a $500 honorarium.

The 2021 cycle is closed.