Research Expertise

• The magnification of strengths in minority populations, including their use of cultural capital  
• Asset building for vulnerable individuals, groups, and families. 
• The empowerment & enhancement of mental health and well-being in underserved communities 
• Antiracism, and the implications of community violence and Anti-Black Capitalism 
• Healing in homicide co-survivors & victims of trauma 

Background

Dr. Brandi Anderson, LICSW, SSW, CFSW, RYT, a graduate of the University of Michigan, Wayne State University (MSW), and the University of South Carolina (PhD), serves as a full-time faculty member in the COSW. Anderson's research interests magnify the strengths and resilience of minority populations. She studies the use of cultural capital in individual pursuits to achieve goals, thus, enhancing mental health and well-being, the empowerment of underserved populations and communities, anti-racism, the implications of community violence and anti-blackness, healing in homicide co-survivors, and asset building in vulnerable individuals, groups, and families. Anderson possesses a wealth of knowledge in the areas of mental health, trauma informed care, and work with marginalized populations of individuals in most all age groups, and maintains a full, independent, clinical license in multiple states. She has served as a clinical director, continuing education instructor, field instructor & liaison, is a fully licensed school social worker, and certified financial social worker. She enjoys utilizing arts-based, and expressive modalities in her personal and professional facilitation of workshops and classes, serving also as a registered yoga therapist. Anderson has several years teaching experience at the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as service experience on a myriad of professional committees and in tandem with various national organizations (e.g., NASW, Grand Challenges), particularly those committed to enhancing the lives of underserved communities. Finally, Anderson also enjoys mentoring and volunteering her time to help fellow first-generation college students succeed.