Nineteen Fifty-Six Vol.4 Issue 2
Our latest magazine issue, Rooted, delves into the complexities surrounding the black family and the stigmas that often accompany conversations about it. From generational trauma to stereotypes perpetuated by the media, we examine the challenges faced by black families and the resilience and strength that bind them together. However, Rooted also celebrates the beauty and richness of black family life and culture, showcasing the love, unity, and traditions that make these families truly unique. Join us as we explore the multifaceted narratives of the black family and honor their history and heritage.
Our latest magazine issue, Rooted, delves into the complexities surrounding the black family and the stigmas that often accompany conversations about it. From generational trauma to stereotypes perpetuated by the media, we examine the challenges faced by black families and the resilience and strength that bind them together. However, Rooted also celebrates the beauty and richness of black family life and culture, showcasing the love, unity, and traditions that make these families truly unique. Join us as we explore the multifaceted narratives of the black family and honor their history and heritage.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
In Conversation<br />
With Curtis Davis<br />
Angel Scales<br />
Since starting at the University in 2021, Curtis<br />
Davis, an assistant professor of social work, has<br />
been dedicated to educating and mentoring his<br />
students. This goal has garnered him several awards,<br />
such as the 2024 Group for the Advancement of Doctoral<br />
Education faculty award for early career achievement, the<br />
Dean’s Faculty Award for Research, Teaching, or Service<br />
and the 2023 Social Work Educator of the Year.<br />
Davis said that a large part of his role is educating and<br />
mentoring students, and he takes pride in helping<br />
students fulfill their dreams.<br />
“Dr. Davis is a talented educator who can present complex<br />
concepts to students in ways they find accessible and<br />
applicable to their social work practice,” wrote Niccola<br />
Ruggiano, professor and associate dean for research,<br />
in a statement. “Students find him to be approachable,<br />
empathetic, and have rated his performance as an<br />
instructor as being higher than average for the School of<br />
Social Work and University overall.”<br />
Davis served on 32 doctoral project committees and was<br />
on the chair for 27, according to the School of Social<br />
Work’s Impact Magazine.<br />
However, while he’s nurturing the minds of his students,<br />
he said his first job is being a father to his two children.<br />
“My identity at this point is really shaped around being a<br />
father,” Davis said.<br />
He said the Black family is integral to communities and<br />
growth, and he enjoys being a part of that because being<br />
in a Black family is one of the best journeys and gifts in<br />
his life.<br />
“It really is like one of my wildest dreams fulfilled, to be<br />
honest,” he said.<br />
Davis said his father was in the Marines when he was<br />
young, so he was raised by his mother and grandmother<br />
in Mississippi. Growing up he was surrounded by service<br />
and public workers because his mom worked in a social<br />
service agency.<br />
Davis knew he wanted to do something that would help<br />
people, but he initially was studying to be a psychologist<br />
because he didn’t know social work was a viable path.<br />
However, once he found out, he dedicated himself to<br />
the profession, working in Mississippi until moving to<br />
Alabama. Once he married his wife, an attorney from<br />
Mobile, he started to work at the University in 2020.<br />
47
Change language