Meet the Two Winners of this Year’s
Laurel House Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship
Laurel House, Inc., and rtor.org, a free service of Laurel House, are proud to announce the 2025 Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship winners.
Now in its fourth year, this competitive scholarship aims to improve mental health outcomes in Connecticut by supporting culturally responsive Master of Social Work students who are dedicated to serving underserved communities. The initiative focuses on increasing the number of Black and Latino social workers committed to advancing social justice and expanding access to mental health care in communities of color.
This year, for the first time, Laurel House is awarding two scholarships to support tuition and educational expenses: a $10,000 award and a second award of $5,000.
Kashmir Flood
Winner of the $10,000 Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship
Kashmir Flood lives in Connecticut with her mother. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology, from Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a Black and South Asian woman, her lived experiences have deeply influenced her decision to pursue social work, fueling a strong commitment to equity and justice. Kashmir has a diverse background in fundraising and development, nonprofit services, and education. She is deeply passionate about integrating her social work skills with mental health policy advocacy, particularly in support of communities affected by incarceration. This fall, she will begin her final year at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City.
Dezrene Thompson
Winner of the $5,000 Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship
Dezrene Thompson is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Practice at Southern Connecticut State University. Coming from a community where mental health was often overlooked and inaccessible has profoundly shaped her views on healing, justice, and the kind of social worker she aspires to become. Her goal is to attain licensure as a Clinical Social Worker and to provide support to vulnerable populations in need of mental health services. Dezrene is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in marginalized communities, and advocating for greater inclusivity. She is committed to creating spaces where voices that are often silenced can be heard, valued, and empowered.
Please join us in congratulating the winners of this year’s Social Work Racial Equity Scholarship. We commend you for your present and future contributions to the field of social work and the communities you serve!
The Need for More Black and Latino Mental Health Care Professionals
Black, Latino, Asian, and Native American individuals experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders and face significantly greater barriers to care compared to the national average (American Psychological Association). These disparities are primarily driven by limited access to services, economic barriers, and a shortage of culturally responsive providers.
With appropriate treatment, 70–90% of people living with mental health conditions see substantial symptom relief and improvements in quality of life. Yet too often, people delay or avoid seeking help due to high costs, stigma, and a lack of accessible, culturally responsive care.
Black and Hispanic communities are especially affected by these systemic gaps. Increasing the number of clinical social workers from these communities is essential. Representation matters. Adding more clinical social workers who understand cultural contexts and lived experiences of those they serve fosters trust, reduces stigma, and opens doors to care that is accessible, effective, and affirming.
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