01/31/2026
As we prepare for Black History Month at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work, our theme this year is The Power of Presence: Black Identity in Professional Social Work.
When the BHM Task Force began brainstorming panelists, one of the very first people who came to mind was my longtime colleague, Debra Mitchell Ibe. Debra has been working with survivors of domestic violence for many years and brings deep, lived expertise to conversations about supporting Black women seeking safety in their relationships.
She understands firsthand the layered realities our communities navigate, including fear and mistrust of law enforcement, racial loyalty, and the complexities of advocating within systems like CPS that disproportionately impact Black families. Her perspective is grounded, honest, and deeply informed by practice.
She was the very first black woman I met who was a leader in the DV movement when I started my career. Seeing her, fueled the fire in me. That's the power of black presence. Debra will offer invaluable insight to this discussion, and I’m grateful she’ll be part of this powerful panel. I hope you’ll join us.
Debra currently serves as Executive Program Director of Residential Services at Denton County Friends of the Family, where she leads critical programs that support safety, healing, and stability. She also provides clinical social work services through Spring Health, extending her impact to individuals and families beyond residential care.
A proud UTA School of Social Work alum, Debra holds her MSW and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker–Supervisor in the State of Texas. Her career reflects a deep commitment to service, advocacy, and leadership, making her voice a powerful contribution to our Black History Month conversation.
Cant wait to see you all on February 5th!
RSVP link:
https://bit.ly/3NqsVyN
