This spring the Northeast Unit of the National Association of Social Workers, Florida Chapter celebrated its local social workers and their contributions to the profession and community. Shamara D. Gibson, a two-time Florida State University graduate and chair of the Northeast Unit, was presented with the highest honor as 2022 NASW-FL Social Worker of the Year for the Northeast Unit for her exemplary leadership and mentorship. 

“As the Unit Chair, Shamara brings compassion for others, integrity, and organized leadership. She has supported creative initiatives to engage students, increase unit membership, retention of current members, and community service,” wrote her peer in Shamara’s award nomination.

In her leadership role, she has also been integral to engaging NASW members in social justice and diversity initiatives, collaborating with other organizations including the Pace Center for Girls and the National Association of Black Social Workers on events like Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Her willingness to volunteer and creatively engage members in workshops and social events has augmented the unit’s energy, cohesion and membership engagement.

Shamara is the chief executive officer for Mara’s Lighthouse Counseling Center in Jacksonville, Florida, which provides mental health services in diverse settings for populations in need who are lacking resources. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a qualified expert in Child Welfare. With more than a decade of experience in mental health, Shamara has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings.

She earned from Florida State her bachelor’s degree in psychology and became a member of the Lambda Tau Omega Sorority, Inc. in 2009. In 2011, she earned her MSW degree, a Certificate in Child Welfare and the C. Aaron McNeece Endowed Field Education Scholarship from the College of Social Work. She recalls enjoying her time at FSU, “being exposed to diversity pushed me to make amazing memories, lifelong friendships and being pushed to reach my highest potential. My professors in the College of Social Work changed everything for me. They are the reason that I became a social worker. I could never repay them.”

In 2012, Shamara became a Certified Child Welfare Case Manager and relocated to Jacksonville to expand her experience as a clinician to work as a trauma therapist. Her passion for working with people experiencing trauma led her in 2015 to work as a sexual abuse therapist for the University of Florida’s Child Protection Team for more than seven years.

Expanding her impact to a macro level in 2016, Shamara served as a program manager for a non-profit organization and developed a pilot outreach counseling program providing mental health services to high-risk girls in Duval County, Florida and a new summer group program that was expanded statewide through the organization.

Her dedication to social work also branches into social work education. Shamara is a field supervisor for FSU social work students in the Jacksonville area and a qualified supervisor for marriage and family therapy and social work registered interns. “Shamara believes in providing quality training, teaching, and mentoring to our students,” said Katrina Boone, director of field education at the College of Social Work. “Her highest priority is to assist students with developing clinical skills that are most effective when working with clients.”

“Mentoring and supervising FSU student interns has been a real full circle moment for me, it’s so rewarding and I am grateful for the opportunity,” she said. She has also hosted support groups for women and retreats.

“I was drawn to the profession of social work because it allowed me to advocate for others while also being a catalyst for change. What I have enjoyed most about working in social work is knowing that every day I can make a difference and elevate the voice of others,” Shamara illuminated.