Black History Month: Celebrating African American Contributions to Child & Family Welfare

Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, whose pioneering work left an indelible mark on child welfare and social services.

The true measure of our character [as a society] is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.

― Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

For hundreds of years, our society has wrestled with the gap between our ideals and our achievements in the areas of justice, democracy, and equity. Throughout this struggle Black and African American people have endured and understood that gap more than any other group. And in our plodding, imperfect search for a “more perfect union” no group has done more to lead the way and to close that gap. A Better Way’s roots are firmly and proudly planted in that struggle, and we are beholden to those who have led the way.

Our area of focus is the realm of foster care, social services, and child & family welfare. As we celebrate Black History Month, 2024, we recognize the African American leaders, advocates, and professionals who have illuminated inequities, shaped policies, implemented programs, and fostered more inclusive practices.

As we witness movements to erase grave mistakes and gruesome misdeeds from our history books, it is more important than ever to remind one another that African Americans have been at the forefront of addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. Black voices have been instrumental in bringing attention to issues such as poverty, inadequate healthcare, housing instability, miscarriages of justice, and educational disparities that disproportionately affect disadvantaged families.

One notable figure in this landscape is Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, whose pioneering work has left an indelible mark on child welfare and social services. Perry, the granddaughter of the renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass, dedicated her life to advocating for the welfare of African American children and families in the early 20th century.

As one of the first African American women to earn a degree in social work, Perry broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of professionals. Her commitment to social justice and equity propelled her to establish the Colored Big Sister Home in New York City, providing shelter, support, and guidance to orphaned and neglected African American children.

Perry's legacy extends beyond the confines of her own time, inspiring generations of social workers, activists, and community leaders to champion the rights of disadvantaged families. Her unwavering dedication to serving the most vulnerable among us serves as a beacon of hope and resilience in the ongoing struggle for social justice.

As with any historical figure who made a difference, Perry’s impact was the result of innumerable unsung heroes who leaned into change during and before her time. She was part of an ecosystem of people who dedicated their lives to helping families, to establishing laws and policies, to improving systems. And that ecosystem has continued to grow and burgeon to this day. A Better Way is proud and humbly honored to be part of that ecosystem today. Our staff, supporters, families, resource parents, and community partners are connected to a long lineage of people working to build a better world. As we continue to innovate, as we continue to elevate the voices and visions of those who have endured inequity’s sharpest edges, we honor the work not just of people like Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry and her grandfather, but of all the people who have worked on behalf of “the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.”

As always, efforts to understand black history improve our understanding of all history.

Efforts to help black and African American families improve society for all families.

A future where no one goes without is a future where all enjoy abundance.

Whether you are one of the families we serve, a member of our staff, a community partner, a donor, or someone who simply cares about the well-being of all, we thank you for being part of the journey and we are deeply pleased to walk alongside you.