THE
Visionary
SOCIAL WORKER AWARDS
Founder and Host, Samara Stone, LCSW-C
VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE
Welcome to the Visionary Social Worker Awards Voting Page
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This year, Samara Stone is celebrating 20 years in business as a social worker
by establishing the Visionary Social Worker Awards in Honor of Social Work Month.
Please make your selections in the categories below.
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Click on the image to access the Voting Submission Form to officially cast your vote.
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You are allowed one vote per person per category.
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Come back daily to vote for the social workers you want to see honored.
Winners will be announced on February 28th and celebrated at our Trailblazers and Visionaries
Awards Celebration held at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 28th.
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Your participation ensures that these exceptional individuals receive the recognition they deserve
for their unwavering commitment to our community.
Want to learn more about the Visionary Social Worker Awards?
CLICK HERE for a note from our host, Samara Stone, LCSW-C
BUSINESS BOSS
Recognizing social workers who have successfully built and sustained innovative, impactful businesses that serve the community and inspire others.
Tammy Vaughan, LCSW-A
Tammy Vaughan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) with a focus on supporting individuals through therapy and mental wellness initiatives. Ms. Vaughan is passionate about fostering resilience and emotional well-being in diverse populations.
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Learn more about Tammy here
Blaque Diamonond, MSW
Award-winning author, social worker, entrepreneur, and host of Basic Blaque After Dark, a podcast that meets people where they are with raw, real conversations. Passionate about foster care, adoption, and family reunification, she empowers others through storytelling, mentorship, and advocacy, helping families restore their genetic lineage, navigate trauma, and embrace resilience.
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Learn more about Blaque here
Tashauna Waters, LCSW
A visionary leader in mental health, prioritizing brain health by integrating neuroscience and therapy to transform client care. Her innovative approach to business and wellness is redefining the future of mental well-being
.Learn more about Tashauna here
Latasha Riddick, MSW
The 2023 Guilford County Schools School Social Worker of the Year awardee, is also the CEO/Founder of Social Work Plug, an organization dedicated to providing POWER to those who EMPOWER others. Social Work Plug focuses on community, collaboration, and professional development for social workers and helping professionals, creating spaces for connection, learning, and innovation.
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Learn more about Latasha here
Kimberly Ward, LCSW
Kimberly Ward is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, and New Jersey. Ms. Ward has a background working in child welfare.
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Learn more about Kimberly here
STAND OUT BRAND
Celebrating professionals who have created exceptional personal or organizational brands that reflect authenticity, creativity, and a commitment to social work values.
Herdyne Mercier, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Grief Coach, author, retreat facilitator, and transformational speaker. She is also the host of The Redefining Grief Podcast. Herdyne’s life calling is to create non-judgmental spaces for broken hearts to heal and purposeful living to be restored.
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Learn more about Herdyne here
Chelsea Glover-Jordan, LCSW-C
The author of 2 literary works, a memoir that focuses on her own maternal journey and a guided journal that encourages others to do the same. She is the CEO of 3 Roads, a group psychotherapy private practice that highlights the deconstruction of the black woman’s plight.
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Learn more about Chelsea here
Tiaera Pritchett, MSW
Being the Campus Relations Co-Chair for the Black Alumni Counsel for The University of Tennessee, allows me to be at service for students and alums of color to address, speak to and advocate for the needs of the minority at a PWI. This broadens my reach in the area of social justice and reform.
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Learn more about Tiaera here
CREATIVE ARTS
Honoring the multi-talented social workers that are inspiring us all by fusing fine arts, graphic design, creative writing, and dance into the field through their unique contributions.
Dr. Christa C. Gilliam, PhD
Dr. Gilliam is a fiber artist and educator that uses art and research to explore the experiences of African American women. Quilting has become her passion, and when she's not teaching social work courses, she creates art while helping others incorporate self-care into their busy work-life balance.
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Learn more about Dr. Gilliam here
Rebecca Nicolas, MSW
"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth." ~ Shirley Chisolm. My sole purpose is to support the oppressed with the gifts that God has blessed me with!
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Learn more at Rebecca here
Rahsona "Sona" Elder, MSW
Born and raised in Paterson, NJ graduating from Fordham University with her Masters of Social Work (MSW). In 1998, she founded the Inner Faith Performing Arts Center, Inc., (IPAC) a 501 c3 not-for-profit faith based arts center in her hometown, Paterson, NJ for children.
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Learn more about Sona here
Keyshawn McMiller, LLMSW, MA.Ed
Keyshawn McMiller (he/him) is a dedicated social work professional with expertise in educational equity, family engagement, and culturally responsive programming. With a passion for uplifting marginalized communities, he has developed impactful initiatives that promote opportunity, wellness, and transformation.
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PUTTING SOCIAL IN SOCIAL WORK
Highlighting individuals who excel in fostering meaningful connections, community engagement, and collaborative efforts online and in person.
Tasha Hunter, LCSW
A soul-medicine giver, a bearer of radical love, a writer, therapist, mentor, and a devoted caretaker of my community.
Anchored in the unshakable belief that we belong to one another, my work is a living testament to shared wisdom, transformative love, and the undeniable truth that liberation is not only possible—it is our collective birthright.
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Learn more about Tasha here
Jennifer L. Ward, MSW
A passionate social worker, Certified Grief Professional, change agent, servant leader, and innovative super connector with 17 years of experience guiding individuals through loss, transitions, relationships, and self-sufficiency. As the visionary behind DMV Does, she cultivates meaningful connections and curates social, self-care, and wellness experiences that inspire, empower, and unite communities across the DMV
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Learn more at about Jennifer here
Kristina Odumes, MSW
LCSW, BCD, CIMHP, is the Clinic Director at Black Falls Therapy & Wellness. She specializes in trauma-informed care for individuals, groups, and families, and hosts impactful community mental health events.
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Learn more about Kristina here
Consuela Chapman, LCSW
Founder and president of the Social Work Alumni Chapter at UNCFSU. Consuela has launched several initiatives under her practice Choices In Wellness PLLC aimed to destigmatize mental health in the black community beginning in 2020 with the virtual event Bloom Where You're Planted aimed at supporting the unmet social needs exacerbated by the pandemic.
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Learn more about Consuela here
Telah Brown, LMSW, Ed.S.
School Social Worker | Development Coach | Advocate | Consultant | Best Selling Author | Merchant of Hope | Role Mother | Motivating & Inspiring Moms Worldwide
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Learn more about Telah here
Jaida C. Morgan, LLMSW
A legacy-building social worker that bridges education, community, and holistic youth development through Detroit Public Schools, the Umoja Debate League, and Wholistic Learning Gems. Her work creates interconnected pathways for Black youth to grow academically, lead boldly, and thrive in culturally responsive spaces that center empowerment and self-determination.
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Learn more about Jaida here
Tiesha Bryant, MSW
Known as The Parent Healer, is a licensed master social worker, speaker, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in youth advocacy, behavioral health, and emotional wellness. As the founder of Resilient Family Wellness and We Have a Purpose, she empowers families, justice-impacted youth, and individuals facing emotional distress to heal and thrive through faith, mentorship, and transformative coaching.
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Learn more about Tiesha here
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Recognizing social workers who have passionately championed causes, driven policy changes, or mobilized resources to create lasting social impact.
Dr. Martine Laventure, DSW
A doctorate level licensed master social worker, published author, and mental health specialist with over 15 years of experience. She is also an autism advocate dedicated to raising awareness and supporting individuals on the spectrum.
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Learn more about Dr. Martine here
Dr. La'Shardae Scott, DSW, MSW
A fearless scholar-activist whose visionary leadership transforms Black and Brown communities by challenging systemic oppression, amplifying marginalized voices, and advancing critical sickle cell initiatives. Through groundbreaking work in policy advocacy, education, and grassroots mobilization—including targeted efforts to improve sickle cell research, care, and awareness—she dismantles barriers to equity and inspires resilient.
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Learn more about Dr. La'Shardae here
LaCresha Cunningham, MSW
LaCresha is a passionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Authenticity Coach, and Spiritualist with a primary focus on mental health and wellness. With over ten years of experience in social services, Ms. Cunningham has walked in her purpose, to intuitively help heal emotional and psychological scars.
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Learn more about LaCresha here
LaNita Winfield, MSW
A very skilled, organized, and adaptable individual. Moreover, my professional attitude and personality enable me to maintain an ongoing good rapport effectively, yet tactfully with those I work with at every level.
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Learn more about LaNita here