Social Justice Advocate Ronald Chisom to Receive Honorary Doctorate from University of Maryland, Baltimore
Ronald Chisom and Tisha Edwards
BALTIMORE, Md. — The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) will award an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Ronald Chisom, co-founder of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB), during the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) Convocation on May 19 at The Lyric.
For over 60 years, Chisom, affectionately known as “Brother Ron,” has been a tireless advocate for social justice. His journey began in New Orleans where he organized tenants in public housing, successfully sued landlords to improve inhumane living conditions, and inspired communities to take collective action.
His landmark 1984 case against the Louisiana Supreme Court paved the way for the election of the state’s first Black Supreme Court Justice, securing a legacy through the “Chisom Seat,” which remains a cornerstone of legal history.
In 1980, Chisom co-founded PISAB, creating a groundbreaking anti-racism training model. The organization’s Undoing Racism Community Organizing workshop has since trained over two million individuals across the globe — from small towns in Alabama to urban centers in Tokyo and Johannesburg — providing tools to dismantle systemic racism and foster meaningful change.
"I'm very excited to receive this honor, and to be part of the social work profession moving us towards social change,” Chisom said. “In the midst of these times, to be honored for Undoing Racism speaks to the commitment of the University and the power of organizing. I'm appreciative of everyone who made this happen."
He has served as a Kellogg Coach and received many prestigious awards, including the Ashoka Fellowship, Bannerman Fellowship, Thomas Merton Award, Petra Foundation Award, Pax Christi Bread & Roses Award, and Tenant Resource Center Achievement Award.
Having recently retired as the executive director of the organization Chisom co-founded, his life’s work exemplifies UMB’s Core Value of Equity and Justice, and influenced millions of individuals around the globe as well as UMB’s own School of Social Work. He continues to travel the country facilitating the Undoing Racism workshop.
“At 83, Ron remains a vital force in antiracist organizing, mentoring new leaders and frequently visiting the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to engage with our faculty, staff, students, and Baltimore community. His work exemplifies the values we hold dear: courage, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to justice,” said UMSSW Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW. “Bestowing this honorary degree on Brother Ron honors his extraordinary contributions and reaffirms UMB’s dedication to equity and the power of education as a tool for social change.”
Chisom’s work directly aligns with the mission of the School of Social Work. His Undoing Racism principles have inspired the SHARP (Structural oppression, Historical trauma, Analysis of Role, Reciprocity and Mutuality, Power) framework, developed by Wendy Shaia, EdD, MSW, UMSSW clinical professor and executive director of the Center for Restorative Change. The SHARP framework is now integrated into the School’s curriculum, faculty development and student learning experiences.
“Ron has changed our understanding — not just at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, but across the world — of what it means to be a leader, and what it means to work with people who’ve experienced oppression,” said Shaia, who will hood Chisom at the UMSSW Convocation. “All of his work, Ron credits right back to the communities that he has organized with.”
A livestream of the graduation ceremony is available at https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/convocation, starting at 1 p.m., May 19, where the School will celebrate over 300 graduates, conferring degrees for its Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Social Work programs.
UMSSW will offer a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree program in 2026, with applications being accepted starting in September. The DSW is an advanced practice doctorate designed to prepare licensed Master of Social Work graduates for leadership roles in academic, agency and private practice settings.
Tisha S. Edwards to Give Keynote
Tisha S. Edwards, MSW ’00, JD ’01, will provide the keynote address during the UMSSW Convocation.
Edwards is the newly appointed President and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association and EVP of the Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association. She brings a wealth of executive experience in both the public and private sectors, with a strong commitment to representativeness and service.
Previously, Edwards served as the Appointment Secretary for Gov. Wes Moore’s administration and served as Moore’s gubernatorial campaign chief of staff. From 2019 to 2021, she was the director of the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success. She has also held leadership roles as President of BridgeEdU, vice president of corporate affairs for War Horse Cities, and interim CEO of the Baltimore City Public Schools System.
Edwards earned her BSW from Georgia State University, her MSW from the UMSSW, and her JD from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She has been a trustee of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Foundation since 2016 and serves on the University of Maryland School of Social Work Board of Advisors. UMSSW honored her with the 2025 Alumni of the Year Award for her service.
Edwards’ ability to navigate complex systems and advocate for the greater good has defined her career, making her a driving force for economic growth and community development in Maryland.
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About the University of Maryland School of Social Work
The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) is one of six University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools and an interdisciplinary School of Graduate Studies dedicated to improving the human condition and serving the public good of Maryland and beyond. Nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report, UMSSW is one of the largest and most respected schools of social work in the country. UMSSW educates the majority of social workers in Maryland with over 80 full-time faculty members and a strong focus on social justice principles. In addition to the school’s academic side, UMSSW excels in translating research to practice through partnerships with state and local government agencies and organizations. The School’s Center for Restorative Change, Family Connections, and The Institute for Innovation and Implementation are all very active in helping with the social work needs in Baltimore and beyond.
About the University of Maryland, Baltimore
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) was founded in 1807 as the Maryland College of Medicine, which now stands as the nation’s oldest public medical school. In response to growing social and cultural needs, UMB’s mission has evolved and grown tremendously. Widely recognized as a preeminent institution, UMB serves as the academic health, law, and social work university of the University System of Maryland, and is guided by a mission of excellence in education, research, clinical care, and public service.
UMB is a thriving academic health center combining cutting-edge biomedical research, exceptional patient care, and nationally ranked academic programs. With extramural funding totaling $682 million in Fiscal Year 2021, each tenured/tenure-track faculty member generates an average of $1.5 million in research grants each year. The 3,123 faculty members conduct leading-edge research and develop solutions and technologies that impact human health locally and around the world. World-class facilities and cores, as well as interprofessional centers and institutes, allow faculty to investigate pressing questions in a highly collaborative fashion. As a result, the more than 7,200 students, postdocs, and trainees directly benefit from working and learning alongside leading experts as they push the boundaries of their fields. For a listing of the organized research centers and institutes, visit: https://www.umaryland.edu/research/umb- research-profile/research-centers-and-institutions/