Giving back to one’s surrounding community is an integral part of leadership and social responsibility, but it is not always as easy as it sounds. Dr. Carole Stokes-Brewer in the Bachelor of Science, Social Work program at Union Institute & University is a model of giving back to her community in a way that is empathetic, creative, and effective. I am proud to highlight Dr. Stokes-Brewer and her work this month, both as a professor and in her active engagement outside the academy walls.
“The more you give, the more you receive,” this was the often-repeated family phrase that Dr. Carole Stokes-Brewer remembers from her childhood. The motto inspired Dr. Stokes-Brewer’s more than 35-year commitment to the field of psychotherapy, social work, consultation, training, and education. She is currently the Director of Field Education in the Bachelor of Science, Social Work program at Union Institute & University and she is an exceptional example of the socially responsible scholar-practitioner that defines Union Institute & University’s spirit of outreach and engagement.
Dr. Stokes-Brewer’s life reveals a unique kind of leadership rooted in the principle of giving back. “I am so grateful that I often experience that awesome feeling of giving, whether it’s through community service, helping a student, or just giving a smile,” she said. “Previously, I was a Black Achiever and a Big Sister. Along with other community involvement, I enjoy serving as a role model for young people on their journey through life. Cincinnati is the 10th poorest city in the country.
My newest volunteer activity is with City Link Center, a place people go to learn how to overcome poverty through a variety of services, resources and hope. Specifically, I am in training to help people prepare for employment. As Director of Field Education, it gives me pleasure to represent Union and in seeking learning experiences for our students to prepare them professionally in the field of social work.” In addition to her responsibilities at Union Institute & University and her volunteer work, Dr. Stokes-Brewer is also CEO of Consultants at Mind Matters, Inc., a company providing psychosocial resources for groups, individuals, and couples. She is also the former co-director of Behavior Science for the Cincinnati Family Practice Residency Program, where she developed programs for adults and adolescents relating to chemical dependency issues.
Creating programs, developing curriculum, and producing content for conferences and national presentations have long been a passion for Dr. Stokes-Brewer. “Currently, I am developing a program for a Fortune 500 company," she said. "At Union Institute & University, I'm excited about assisting and supporting Nina Lewis, chair of the social work department, in preparation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. I am also developing social work presentations for state and national conferences.”
Dr. Stokes-Brewer holds several professional licenses. Among these, she is an Independent Social Worker with supervisory designation, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with supervisory designation, and she is a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. She is also an Approved Consultant in Clinical Hypnosis. “Many years ago, I had a client who was impressed with the experience she had with clinical hypnosis to enhance her self confidence. I became curious about this science and began to explore it in depth. I have always been interested in the power of the mind. After many years of study, training, and practice with clinical hypnosis, I’ve enjoyed watching many people stop smoking, reduce pain, overcome phobias, improve relationships, and recover from illnesses. What’s even better, it is a technique they can learn to continue their self-growth."
Helping people gain a better sense of self, of life-and-work balance and a greater appreciation and knowledge of maintaining personal health is something Dr. Stokes-Brewer is passionate about. “I find that the more balance I have in life, the more fulfillment I experience. Good health is important. I was on a panel with Dr. Nancy Snyderman discussing the importance of women’s health,. she inspired me to take a more active role in taking care of myself."
Following some of her spiritual and artistic heroes, Dr. Stokes-Brewer has found that artistic expression contributes significantly to maintaining a healthy attitude and lifestyle. "Writing poetry is one of my favorite forms of expression. There are so many poets and writers that inspire me. Margaret Walker and Maya Angelo are two of my favorites for their brilliant poetry and storytelling. Self reflection is important to me. I am interested in meditation for its ability to quiet the mind.. Deepak Chopra and Thich Nhat Hanh are a couple of my favorites. I love the spirit of Cicely Tyson to remind me, in a quiet spiritual way, to develop grace."
Helping people maintain good health and take time for personal development remains central to Dr. Stokes-Brewer’s life-philosophy to “give back” to others, but giving back is not always as easy as it might sound, she notes. One of the principles she tries to instill in her students is the awareness of how to help others creatively help themselves. “Most students come into the field of social work because they have an admirable desire to help people. Along with that desire, comes the belief that ‘help’ is something they tell a person to do. If only they do what I say, life would be better. After that, they don’t understand their clients’ resistance. True help comes when you understand the dynamics of the situation and begin a process that allows individuals to develop better outcomes for themselves. ’Give me a fish and I eat for a day, teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime,’” she quotes the old proverb.She remembered her own process of learning to reach out to help others different from herself. “It was March 1965, when state troopers marched in Selma, Alabama to the capitol in Montgomery Alabama to persuade a change allowing all to be free to vote. The outcome became known as the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I was a student at Tuskegee University. The excitement of freedom for all inspired me to participate in a student forum to spread the message of voting to people in isolated rural areas. We would find them living in dirt-floor rooms, we encouraged them, showed them the voting process, and even took them to the polls. I learned so much from listening and connecting with people so much like me, yet so different. It was at that point that I made a commitment to prepare myself educationally to assist others in improving their plight.
Find out more about Dr. Stokes-Brewer at her website.
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