President's Address 2016: Trafficking in Hope

This message is the president's address at the 2016 Annual Conference of the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Directors (BPD). “Trafficking in Hope” is presented as a personal motif that describes one social worker's approach to social work education and leadership. The author examines his own journey into the field of social work and the person who best modeled for him the compassionate care and consideration of others. Building on the 2016 BPD conference theme, Promoting Excellence in Undergraduate Social Work Through Education and Leadership, social workers are asked to think about who we are at BPD and what makes us so unique. We have the opportunity to raise awareness about who we are, what we do, and the profile of BSW education. Social workers are also challenged to raise our voices and make some noise as we identify with our profession and respond to important social work and social justice issues.