“I know that there is a lot of work to be done and the journey will not be easy, but I believe that if we join together and are a little kinder to one another we are able to make a change.” 

Karla Kilpatrick has dedicated her life to being a light to others during hard times. For more than fifteen years, Karla worked as an early learning teacher in the South suburban region of Chicago, determined to help kids and communities who need it the most and to advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. During this time, Karla also served as a volunteer for Hope for a Day and Coffee Hip-Hop and Mental Health, which work to address stigmas associated with mental health.

Particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Karla noticed a growing need for mental health services and became increasingly passionate about working to dismantle the stigma around mental health support in BIPOC communities. Karla keenly understands how important it is for kids to have someone safe to talk to, and she became motivated to pursue an MSW to maximize her ability to bridge the gap between a holistic learning environment and mental wellness. Karla additionally hopes to establish a nonprofit organization that will connect children from BIPOC communities to professionals in disciplines of interest. She reflects, “I know that there is a lot of work to be done and the journey will not be easy, but I believe that if we join together and are a little kinder to one another we are able to make a change.” 

Since beginning her graduate studies in social work at U-M, Karla has persisted through the loss of her grandmother and uncle, maintained a 4.0 GPA, and earned admission to the Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Omicron Nu honors societies. Her professors and supervisors describe her as an “intellectually curious, insightful, clinically intuitive, humble and highly motivated” future social worker who will “work diligently to improve the lives of others.”

CEW+ celebrates Karla’s dedication to supporting children and families in need and names her the Margaret Dusseau Brevoort Scholar.