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Region 7 includes Darke, Champaign, Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery and Preble counties in southwestern Ohio.
Upcoming Events Virtual Coffee and Conversation with Region 7 Co-Directors Virtual Event | October 15, 2025 | 6–7 PM on Zoom As a social worker, your voice, experiences, and connections are what make our profession strong. Join fellow Region 7 members for our next quarterly gathering, designed to give you space to connect, share, and grow alongside colleagues who understand the unique challenges and rewards of this work. Hosted by Shawnieka Pope and Carmela Daniels, this virtual event is an opportunity to strengthen relationships within our region, exchange insights from practice, and build the support network every social worker needs. Whether you’re seeking professional connection, inspiration, or simply a chance to be in community with peers, this event is for you. RSVP>>
Region 7, 2024 Award Winners | Student of the Year, Brian Ray WalkerBrian Ray Walker, LSW, received his BSW at Wright State University in April 2024, where he graduated with distinction as a Departmental Honors Scholar. During his studies, Brian interned with the National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter, which provided him with vital hands-on experience at the macro-level. This included fundraising efforts supporting NASW Ohio’s legislative advocacy work, the preparation and execution of the NASW Ohio Chapter Annual Conference of 2023, and the preparation and execution of the NASW Ohio 2024 Advocacy Day. Brian has continued his involvement with NASW Ohio as a Region 7 representative on the NASW Ohio PACE Committee. He is also currently pursuing his MASW through WSU’s advanced placement program. | 
| Lifetime Achievement, Cynthia CurrellI am deeply moved and honored to receive this award. Thank you to my nominating colleagues, who bring out the best in me through their examples and support. I have been a member of NASW for the past 31 years, an organization that has provided the ethical compass and professional development to practice social work at the highest level. Social work has allowed me insight and understanding of the impact of nonprofit organizations, community systems in child welfare, mental health, health care, legal and justice systems, education, and early intervention and disability services to help people. I’m grateful for my career in social work and look forward to continued advocacy on behalf of basic needs, social justice and solidarity with others. | 
| Agency of the Year, Back to Basics Youth Education CenterFree non-profit after school program with a vision of educating inner city Dayton youth using computer technology. Our primary focus is basic computer skills web development, app development, and cyber security. We have volunteer computer science college students and a chemical engineer conducting the training. During the summer of 2025 we plan to offer a tech corp app development and an artificial camp for girls. We also provide mentoring, tutoring and homework assistance. |
Connect to Region 7Follow Region 7 on Facebook Region 7 (Dayton Area) Co-Director Shawnieka Pope She/her Shawnieka E. Pope, MSW, LISW-S, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor Educator and Director of the School Social Work Certificate and BSW Distance Learning Programs at the University of Cincinnati. With over two decades of experience as a consultant, therapist, educator, crisis clinician, and school social worker, she is also the founder of Shawnie Speaks Social Work, LLC. Shawnieka is a 4th year Ph.D. student researching suicide among Black girls and a nationally recognized leader in mental health, trauma, and equity-focused care. Above all, she is the proud mother of three adult children. Region 7 (Dayton Area) Co-Director Dr. Carmela Daniels She/her Dr. Carmela G. Daniels, DSW, LISW-S is a clinical social worker, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience serving diverse populations. She is the founder of Dr. Carmela Daniels Mentoring & Consulting, LLC and the creator of The Warmth of Leadership, a framework that centers humanity and purpose in leadership. Dr. Daniels teaches in social work, mentors emerging social workers, and develops equity-driven initiatives across community and organizational settings. Her work blends advocacy, education, and intentional leadership to empower professionals and communities alike.
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