Indigenous Wisdom, Cultural Adjustment, and Community Power | Dr. Amana Mbise

In this live episode of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, recorded at the NASW National Conference in Chicago, Ace and Jerome MT sit down with Dr. Amana Mbise—scholar, mentor, and global advocate in social work. Together they explore the profound intersections of migration, cultural adjustment, authenticity, masculinity, and community engagement.Dr. Mbise shares insights from his work across Tanzania, Denmark, and the United States, where he has led groundbreaking studies on labor exploitation, health equity, and the lived realities of Black communities. From rites of passage to the role of barbershops as vital cultural hubs, the conversation reveals how identity, responsibility, and connection shape both individual lives and collective liberation.This episode challenges social workers and educators to move beyond technical “competence” toward authenticity, kinship, and community-rooted practice.Key Themes & Takeaways:Cultural adjustments and the challenges families face in new environmentsWhy authenticity is essential in social work practice and teachingMentorship, responsibility, and the work of empowering Black menBarbershops as safe spaces and sites of identity formationRites of passage and the meaning of masculinity across culturesCommunity engagement as a foundation for liberation in social workChapters:00:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene02:25 – Cultural Adjustments and Family Dynamics05:03 – Community Support and Integration07:18 – Diversity in Alaska and Personal Experiences09:54 – Teaching and Engaging with Students12:41 – Authenticity in Social Work15:19 – Building Community and Relationships17:32 – Empowering Black Men and Cultural Identity31:20 – Empowering Black Men Through Community Engagement34:28 – The Role of Barbershops as Safe Spaces38:46 – Navigating Fatherhood and Masculinity44:27 – Rites of Passage and Cultural Identity49:35 – Responsibility in Parenting and Identity55:17 – Men in Social Work: A Growing Presence📣 For more information or to connect with Revolutionary Social Work, email: [email protected]✨ Subscribe for more powerful conversations that challenge mainstream social work:https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionarySocialWork/sub_confirmation=1🌍 Visit us at: RevolutionarySocialWork.comKeywords : social work, community engagement, cultural adjustment, authenticity, mentorship, masculinity, Black men, barbershops, identity, responsibility, migration, cultural dynamics, empowerment, revolutionary social work© Revolutionary Social Work