Congratulations to the 2025 NASW-Michigan Emerging Social Work Leader Award Recipient, Taylor West

Congratulations to the 2025 NASW-Michigan Emerging Social Work Leader Award Recipient, Taylor West, LLMSW-Macro

Awardee Bio:

Taylor West was born and raised in the West Suburbs of Chicago, where she discovered her passion for helping and inspiring others. Her journey of service began early, with a transformative trip to Ecuador in 2016 for a leadership retreat. During this experience, she collaborated with a local school to create a community action project, which resulted in the construction of new shelters for the school's farm animals and the creation of a beautiful mural. That same summer, she studied abroad in Spain, further embracing diverse cultures and global perspectives.

After graduating from high school in 2017, Taylor moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to pursue her degree in Social Work at Western Michigan University. Throughout her time there, she developed a deep commitment to social justice. Even in the face of personal loss, following the unexpected passing of her father in 2019, Taylor remained dedicated to her studies. She served as the Student Body Vice President in 2019, and just a year later, she was sworn in as the Student Body President. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, Taylor found it an honor to uplift students' voices and provide guidance during a time of emotional and civil unrest.

Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 2021 and completed Western Michigan University’s accelerated program, earning her Master of Social Work (MSW) in April 2022. She currently works as a Mitigation Specialist at the Kalamazoo Public Defenders Office, where she continues to advocate for underserved communities. Taylor is deeply committed to criminal justice reform and is part of a new generation of social work advocates, leaders, and lawyers who believe in transforming the justice system from a punitive to a restorative and rehabilitative model.

Taylor's passion for social justice extends to her ongoing education, as she is now pursuing law school. With both a Master of Social Work (LMSW) and a Juris Doctorate (JD), she plans to reform the justice system and ensure that incarcerated individuals are given opportunities to reintegrate and contribute positively to society. One of her dreams is to join the increasing number of Black women entering the judiciary, and ultimately serve as a federal court judge.

"I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive the Emerging Social Work Award. This recognition is not only meaningful but also serves as a deep motivation to continue my service in this field. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Harrison and the NASW-Michigan for their unwavering support and belief in my work. This award is not just a personal achievement; it is a reflection of the incredible mentors, colleagues, and clients I have had the privilege of working with along the way.

Every day, I am inspired by the resilience and strength of the people I serve, and I am grateful to be part of a field that allows me to contribute to the well-being of others. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the community, families, and individuals who have trusted me to walk alongside them through both their challenges and triumphs. This work is a testament to the belief that by empowering individuals, we can create stronger communities, and by challenging systems, we can build a more just society for all."