Dr. Moses Newsome: Legacy Lessons From An HBCU Giant

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A celebration can tell you everything about a leader’s life’s work. When Dr. Moses Newsome Jr. returned to Norfolk State University for the 30th anniversary of its social work PhD—the school’s first doctoral program—he saw former students running departments, teaching his own daughter, and carrying forward a mission built on access, excellence, empowerment, and legacy. We dive into how those outcomes were forged: a childhood in Charleston, WV where compassion wasn’t preached, it was practiced; a track scholarship to Toledo that opened the first door; and mentors who steered raw purpose toward social work and higher education.

From the Howard classroom to the dean’s office, Dr. Newsome describes the moment he realized teaching 20 students at a time wasn’t enough. He began writing to scale his message, then pursued leadership to build structures where service could multiply. That vision drove a decade-long effort to launch Norfolk State’s PhD program, navigating state approvals and institutional change to lift a master’s-level university into doctoral territory. The story doesn’t stop there—he went on to shape national standards with the Council on Social Work Education, embedding inclusive curricula, international perspectives, and community engagement across HBCUs and PWIs alike.

We also unpack what makes HBCUs uniquely powerful: real nurture, practical support, and faculty who refuse to let students fall through the cracks. For early-career academics, Dr. Newsome offers hard-won advice—pick your lane (micro, or macro), find mentors aligned with your mission, and build a body of work that opens doors for others. His definition of legacy is both personal and systemic: not just who follows you, but what practices they carry forward. Listen for a masterclass in servant leadership, institutional change, and the kind of commitment that turns a career into a lineage. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so more listeners can find the show.

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