Jacinto J. Grant, MSW

Professionally known as J. Grant, he is originally from the Philadelphia area and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work (BSW and MSW) from Temple University with a focus on policy and planning. J. Grant has over two decades of social work experience and practice primarily as a macro social with a direct service heart and working as part of multidisciplinary teams in direct practice, administration, community organizing, and advocacy.

In the role of Community-Engaged Professional Education Director, J. Grant aims to use his expertise and innovative skill set in community engagement; project management; facilitating partnerships; working with students, practicum liaisons, course instructors, agency partners, and other members of SP2 to lead the integration of community-engaged professional education across the MSW, MSSP, and NPL Programs, enhance SP2’s impact in Philadelphia, and strengthen our capacity for research-practice collaborations.

J. Grant joined the SP2 community in May 2021 as one of the Associate Field Directors in the MSW Program and has been an active member of the Race and Social Justice Standing Committee. As part of the Practicum Education Office, J. Grant maintained and developed dynamic practicum placements; matched students with practicum placement learning opportunities; worked with practicum liaisons, course instructors, students, and community partners; provided training for new practicum instructors; provided part-time lecturer instruction (Foundation SWRK Practice and American Racism: History, Policy, and SWRK Practice); and engaged in multiple additional activities that support the MSW Program and SP2.

J. Grant’s vast social work experience includes over twenty years at an LGBTQ+ youth serving agency in various capacities, including as a field instructor, Associate Director, and Interim Executive Director. Other community involvement and professional highlights also include: Co-chair for the City of Philadelphia’s Comprehensive Planning Committee in the City of Phila’s HIV/AIDS Planning Office; Site Director at a non-profit, coordinating a national HIV Testing and Social Network CDC Demonstration Project; member of Philadelphia Health Management Corporation’s Black Gay Men’s Health Survey Advisory Board; Board member of Smoke Lilies and Jade Dance Company; Co-founder of Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council; and Co-founder/facilitator of a Young Men’s Support group for queer youth.