The Social Worker Who Defied All Odds
Dr. Kathyanne Davis drew motivation from her own school challenges to build a career in social work and mentor high school students such as Kennedi Davidson. Photo by Sabrina DuQuesnay
“If you’re doing your job to your fullest potential and the nature of who we are as social workers… we’re going to be empathetic. We’re going to be doing more than what we need to do.”
By Kennedi Davidson
In this episode, Dr. Kathyanne Davis, a Black social worker with the New York City Department of Education, shares the experiences that led her into the field and the passion that grounds her work. She speaks candidly about the challenges she has faced, the resilience it takes to thrive, and what it means to serve as both an advocate and a professional. Her story highlights perseverance, representation and the transformative impact of social work on students’ lives.
Kennedi Davidson is a freshman at Montclair State University, where she’ll be majoring in Communication and Media Studies with a minor in American Sign Language. She recently graduated from the Professional Performing Arts School as an Ailey dance major and is an active leader in the Girls Inc. organization. In her free time, Kennedi enjoys watching TV shows and movies, especially ones that inspire emotion and creativity.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is The Bell’s immersive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students. This year’s academy was made possible by support from the Spotify Studios Union.
