The Body Remembers: How History is Written in the Intra-Psyche of the Descendants of the Enslaved

Clinical social worker. She received her MSW degree from Howard University School of Social Work and her PhD from the National Catholic School of Social Work, Catholic University. Dr. Edwards has served as a Professor in the School of Social Work at Howard University from the academic years 2011-12 to the present. She was the principal investigator of a Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) million dollar plus grant training Social Work students in Behavioral Health and OUD/SUD disorders in medically underserved communities. Dr. Edwards maintains a private practice where she provides clinical social work psychodynamic and psychoanalytic oriented treatment. Dr. Edwards’ range of experiences extends from providing clinical services to inpatient psychiatrically hospitalized children, adolescents and adults to outpatient psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families. Prior to entering Academia, she was the Clinical Director of the Emergency Psychiatric Response Team at the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a period of ten years. In her position she was responsible for the assessment, intervention and treatment of crisis cases where she provided trauma treatment in a wide range of clinical scenarios. Previous governmental involvement was in her position as a policy analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Assistant Director for Policy Evaluation. She is a past member of the Board of the Washington School of Psychiatry in Washington, D.C. and has previously served on the Board of the Montgomery County Mental Health Association. Dr. Edwards has served as a clinical consultant to numerous agencies in Washington, D.C. Dr. Edwards has extensive experience in clinical social work practice and has numerous publications in the areas clinical social work practice and social work education. She is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, The Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work, the Clinical Social Work Association, and is the President of the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, and member of the council of the National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development. Dr. Edwards serves on the editorial board of the Clinical Social Work Journal and Psychoanalytic Social Work Journal. Clinical Practice emphasis on Trauma Informed Care clinical practice preparedness for response to these issues in marginalized communities is a major concern. She love practice, advocacy and being a change agent.

4th-year Ph.D. student at Howard University School of Social Work. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree from Salisbury University and has over 12 years of experience in public health and education program management. In Somerset County, she managed programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Hygiene Service Administration (SAMHSA) and Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) as an employee of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Before beginning her doctoral studies, she was the Project Director of Shore Way to College, a Maryland Next Generation Scholars Program, which supports high school and college-aged youth experiencing poverty. She began clinical training and practice in 2020. Her research centers on trauma, social capital, and critical pedagogy.

Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) and a proud native of Washington, D.C., where she was raised alongside her younger sister. A product of the D.C. Public Schools system from elementary through high school, Nkiyah often reflects on how her DCPS journey instilled in her both grit and humor qualities that deeply influence her work today. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media, and Politics and a Master of Science in Communication and Media from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. After returning home to D.C., she served in various Case Manager roles, gaining hands-on experience in community and client-centered care. Driven by a passion for serving youth and families, she went on to earn her Master of Social Work from Howard University, where she was selected as a PRESS (Preparing Responsive and Effective School Social Workers) Fellow. This fellowship provided specialized training in school-based interventions, preparing her to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development effectively. Currently working as a school-based therapist, Nkiyah is deeply rooted in her D.C. community. She is passionate about helping youth build on their inherent strengths, embrace opportunities for growth, and navigate key developmental milestones with confidence and resilience.