Sommer C. Blair, MSW, LISW-CP, is a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, mentored by Dr. James Huguley. She is the founder of the Parenting for Racial Equity Project (PREP), which aims to assist White parents in raising critically conscious, anti-racist children through an ethnic-racial socialization intervention grounded in a critical consciousness framework. Sommer’s research explores how Whiteness can be confronted through White racial socialization, identifying effective strategies for White individuals to become engaged co-conspirators with marginalized racial groups.
Beyond PREP, her research examines White people’s roles in interracial spaces, particularly within multiracial families, social work education, and the American church. She is dedicated to understanding how those in the racial majority can be intentionally expansive in spaces, recognize their privilege, and contribute to dismantling systemic racism through research, policy, and practice. Her work is deeply rooted in community and activism, reflecting her commitment to social change and empowering marginalized communities.
Sommer earned her master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina, along with a graduate certificate in Drug and Addiction Studies. She also holds a graduate certificate in Community-Based Participatory Research and Practice from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. Her practice experience includes direct case management and therapeutic services for children and families involved with child protective services, including roles as a therapist and foster care case manager.
Huguley, J. P., Davis, C. D., Stief, E. M., Haynik, R. H., Henderson, M. A., DeBellis, B. R., Blair, S. C., Williams, A. P., Sturdivant, M. M., Wiley, D. T., & Cherry, M. C. (2023). From practice-to-research-to-practice: Leveraging reciprocal partnerships to advance racial justice in education across contexts and ecological levels. Journal of Community Practice.
Blair, S. C., Collins, D., & Franke, K. (2020). Improving school behavioral health quality. In Weist, M.D., Franke, K., & Stevens, R. (Eds.), School behavioral health: Interconnecting comprehensive school mental health and positive behavior support. New York: Springer.
