2025 History

Lifetime Achievement
Rosalie Smiley, PhD, MPH, LSW
Entrepreneur of the Year
LaToya Hamm Wilson, LSW, PMH-C
Andre B Hemby "There For Me"
Sharon Murray

2025 Awardees

Dana D Warren, LCSW
Detria M Dixon, MSW, LSW
Janiece Anderson, LSW
Khavah Murray, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CGP
Michelle L McMurray, MSW
Sheila Gillespie Roth, Ph.D., LCSW
Vanessa M Beck, MSW, LCSW

2025 Speakers

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Toya Jones, LCSW, EdD
Opening Remarks
Dr. Aliya Durham, PhD, MSW, MPIA
Mistress of Ceremonies
Mikey Hood
Lifetime Achievement Award

Rosalie Smiley, PhD, MPH, LSW
Professor Department of Social Work, Sociology & Human Services, PennWest University

Rosalie Smiley, PhD, MPH, LSW, has devoted over 40 years to the social work profession. She began her academic career in 1999 as an Associate Professor and was promoted to professor in 2007 at PennWest University, earning the distinguished 2019 Presidential Merit Award. Dr. Smiley A University of Pittsburgh alum, career as a social worker began in 1982 as Director of Social Services at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, later directing the Abraxas Center for Adolescent Females until 1993. In 2001 she became Director of Family Resources at the Beverly Jewel Wall Lovelace Children’s Program, impacting Allegheny County families. A trauma specialist, and certified trainer, Dr. Smiley presents at conferences, mentors professionals, and is active with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), NASW, and Homewood Church of Christ. A proud mother and grandmother, she draws inspiration from her late sister, Dr. Margaret Smith, who passed away in 2023.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

LaToya Hamm Wilson, LSW, PMH-C
CEO & Founder, Motherhood Redefined

LaToya Hamm Wilson is a Licensed Social Worker, Therapist, and the founder of Motherhood Redefined, a digital platform dedicated to addressing mental health disparities among Black mothers. With a specialization in perinatal mental health disorders and trauma, LaToya provides compassionate, evidence-based support to individuals navigating the challenges of motherhood. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Cultural Studies from Chatham University, a Master of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, LaToya is certified in Perinatal Mental Health by Postpartum International.

Dana D Warren, LCSW

Clinical Director, HandinHand Counseling Services

Dana D. Warren, LCSW, is the Clinical Director at HandinHand Counseling Services, with over 25 years of experience in individual and group therapy. As a visionary behind the SIGH Trauma Recovery Program and the DBT Therapeutic Experience, she empowers clients to overcome their past and cultivate hope for the future. Dana finds it rewarding to give back to the Social Work Community by supervising the phenomenal clinicians at HiH. A two-time breast cancer thriver, she is passionate about supporting women with the disease. In her spare time, Dana enjoys singing, time with family, nurturing her goddaughter, and working with her brother in their pool maintenance business.

Detria M Dixon, MSW, LSW

School Social Worker, Pittsburgh Public Schools

Detria received her formal training as a school social worker from the University of Pittsburgh. However, she received her education from the National Association of Black Social Workers and the Association of Black Psychologists, respectfully. Detria has dutifully served in a social worker capacity as a community school site-director and a school social worker, but her most recent work is an afterschool program she started in 2022 called Kukua Na Nia, LLC, which means “I am purpose”. The culturally relevant intervention helps adolescent Black girls resist racial oppressions while learning to love and appreciate each other and their culture.

Janiece Anderson, LSW

School Social Worker, Allegheny Traditional Academy 6-8 with Pittsburgh Public Schools
Janiece Anderson is a compassionate social worker with a lifelong passion for helping others. Currently serving at Allegheny Traditional Academy for Pittsburgh Public Schools, Janiece brings over 17 years of experience, including roles in mobile therapy, family development, service coordination, and residential counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Slippery Rock University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. Today, she has found her true calling as a school social worker, guiding and uplifting the lives of youth and making a lasting impact on her students every day.

Khavah Murray, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CGP

Director of Behavioral Health & Social Services, Primary Care Health Services Inc., Owner/Founder Hope Deals Counseling & Consulting

Khavah Murray, LCSW, CCTP, CGP brings over 16 years of extensive experience in mental health and community services, specializing in children and families. As the Director of Behavioral Health and Social Services at Primary Care Health Services (PCHS), she leads efforts to expand access to quality mental health care for underserved communities. Founder of Hope Deals Counseling & Consulting, Ms. Murray is passionate about providing culturally responsive services and addressing the critical need for Black and Brown therapists. In addition, she is an adjunct professor of social work at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Ms. Murray also hosts workshops and events, fostering partnerships that promote mental wellness, self-care, and professional growth.

Michelle L McMurray, MSW

Vice President, Program and Community Engagement, The Pittsburgh Foundation
Michelle McMurray, MSW, has a 20-year career spanning academic research, clinical practice and policy advocacy that has been shaped by a commitment to supporting the self-determination of low-income communities and working to eliminate racial inequities across systems. Michelle currently serves as the vice president of Program and Community Engagement at The Pittsburgh Foundation where she is responsible for the strategic direction, development and management of the Foundation’s grantmaking programs and community engagement efforts. Over her 10-year tenure at the Foundation, Michelle has led the creation of innovative initiatives to increase access to funding for small and Black and Brown-led organizations and she currently stewards a $50 million commitment to advance racial justice efforts in the Pittsburgh region. Michelle’s community leadership is extensive including serving as a co-chair for County Executive Sara Innamorato’s All In Allegheny transition committee in 2024. She is the recipient of many awards for her work including being honored by the Pennsylvania Governor’s Commission on African American Affairs in 2020 and being recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Pennsylvania by Women We Admire in 2023 and 2024.

Sheila Gillespie Roth, Ph.D., LCSW

Owner, Roth Consulting, LLC

Sheila Roth earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in 1984 and a Ph.D. from the School of Education in 1991. Since that time, she has worked as a medical social worker, a social work educator, and a therapist. Throughout her career, Dr. Roth always kept a focus on supporting and treating first responders via formal part-time employment, volunteer work, and research.

Prior to the development of Roth Consulting, Dr. Roth was professor and a founding member of the Carlow University BSW and MSW programs where she served as chair and focused her teaching on the impact of trauma both on individuals and communities. Roth retired from the University in 2023 as professor emeritus, so that she could begin building a therapy practice focused on the first responder community.

Currently, she is the owner of Roth Consulting, LLC. In this role she provides therapy to first responders and health care providers both in office and through teletherapy. In addition, she provides educational consulting for social work education programs and training for first responder groups on stress and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family.

Vanessa M Beck, MSW, LCSW

Program of General Caregiver Support Services Coordinator, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Vanessa is a licensed clinical social worker, who earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work in 2010. Prior to joining the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System in 2015, she worked with children and families in both the community and inpatient hospital settings, with acute and chronic medical and mental health needs. Vanessa has also worked with the University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work in the Field Education office and as an adjunct faculty teaching undergraduate and graduate students. Vanessa currently is the Coordinator for the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.