Anjanette Young
Anjanette Young is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and graduate of Jane Addams School of Social Work at The University of Illinois Chicago. She obtained a master’s degree in clinical social work with a special interest in Mental Health with individuals and families.
Anjanette has worked in the profession for over 26 years and her passion for people and her professional ethics is rooted in her DNA. Her grandmother was a civil rights activist who fought for justice and equity and marched with Dr. King. She is devoted to doing her part to continue her family legacy and raise the bar of accountability regarding social justice with a focus on the social work core values of service, dignity and worth of all individuals.
In March of 2019 Anjanette became President and CEO of Café Social Work consulting LLC, which was birthed out of a dream of giving back to her Social Work Community, by offering her years of experience to new Social Workers through mentorship and coaching in the profession. Anjanette understands the value of Social Work mentorship, due to the lack of mentorship in her own life.
She holds an MSW from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at University of Illinois Chicago. Her courageous leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Rosa Parks Award from Chicago Leaders Network, an Emmy for “Handcuff and Naked: The Anjanette Young Story,” the Outstanding Community Advocate Award from the National Coalition of Black Women, and the Ida B. Wells Legacy Award.
I AM HER Foundation
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I AM HER Foundation |
Her life changed dramatically on February 21, 2019, when her home was forcibly raided by Chicago police using a faulty warrant. Twelve officers entered while she was changing clothes; she was ordered to raise her hands, naked and in shock, as her home was ransacked. The trauma of that night—and its aftermath—became central to her journey toward healing, justice, and advocacy.
Through Past the Pain: How to Emerge from Trauma with Purpose, she shares not only her story, but also practical tools for others who have experienced trauma to find resilience, renew purpose, and sustain self-care and boundary-keeping in social justice or advocacy work.
She has appeared on national media platforms including CBS Mornings and worked with outlets such as BET, CBS2 Chicago, The Reid Out, and others.
Anjanette is also the founder of the I AM HER Foundation (launched in 2021), which honors Breonna Taylor’s legacy and focuses on providing therapeutic resources, advocacy, and support to Black girls and women.
