The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, located at 315 E. Warren Ave. in Detroit, opened an exhibit for three days honoring a social worker, activist and Eastern Michigan University professor’s journey from poverty to success, as well as her family’s history spanning four generations.
Betty Brown-Chappell has taught at EMU for 17 years, has been active in issues regarding social work reform, racism, sexism and poverty and has recently written the book, “Open Secrets – A Poor Person’s Journey in Higher Education.”
“Someone has to tell our story, and Betty Brown-Chappell is the first to do it,” said Bonita Cobb, a Detroit native who earned a master’s degree in social work in 1977.
Brown-Chappell joined a panel titled “Black Women of Power in Social Work: A Roundtable Discussion,” on Sunday that featured four speakers. Crystal Mills, professor emeritus in social work and director of research at EMU was also among the panelists.
“The highlight of the event was being to step on stage with the next generation and the current generation,” Brown-Chappell said.
The exhibit displayed accomplishments and moments of importance from her personal and professional life.
“The museum has never had a display for a social worker, so there’s no protocol,” Brown-Chappell said. “But we gave it our best effort and tried to figure out what’s going to work.”
Among her long list of accomplishments, Brown-Chappell was awarded the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award by EMU, along with U.S. Senator, and former social worker, Debbie Stabenow.
EMU senior Sherita Williams, who shared the experience with family members, said it was moving to see the exhibit and hear Brown-Chappell speak during the lecture.
“It gives us a better understanding of our history as a culture,” Wil liams said. “It’s inspirational when I see people like her, because I came from the same background.”
Around 70 people were in attendance for the lecture, and there was a catered meet-and-greet and book signing afterwards.
“I wrote the book to help first generation college students with modest means to navigate the educational system,” Brown-Chappell said. “It was inspired by Eastern Michigan students and what I learned along the way.”
EMU senior Anarosa Mendoza-King is a music therapy major and wants to work in urban communities using music as a tool for healing. She met Brown-Chappell in the fall of 2009 through the McNair Scholars Program when she was the director.
“I could never put into words what she’s done for me and my community,” Mendoza-King said. “She is somebody I’m going to know my whole life.”
Mendoza-King said she is constantly impressed with Brown-Chappell’s ability to help and influence so many different individuals.
“It takes a lot of time and energy to be a mentor, and she mentors a lot of people,” she said.
Brown-Chappell’s daughter, Aisha Chappell, flew in for the event from New York City, where she works at a nonprofit education facility.
“The event went extremely well, and there was a lot of excitement around it,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine it going any better.”
Brown-Chappell also made a donation of items and documents to the museum.
“The information I donated ranges from the 1800s to the present and includes information about four generations: my paternal and maternal family members, my siblings, my husband Michael and our children,” she said. “I’ve also donated the majority of materials from my 17 years at Eastern Michigan University.”
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