We recently connected with Cecil Wattree and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cecil, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Life is nothing but risks.

One of the biggest risks that I have taken is holding true to my ethics and values in the face of institution of medical systems.

Upon realizing that my employer was “reducing costs” by laying off medical professionals and removing themselves from places that the organization deems to have the most health disparities, I reviewed my codes of ethics (National Association of Social Workers and National Association of Black Social Workers), the Mission, Vision, and “True North Values” of the agency and assisted with providers, nurses, techs I drafted a statement where their names would be anonymous and addressed the ambivalence of the agency’s actions in contrast to its mission, vision and values. By agitating leadership, I was able maintain and retain positions for medical professionals who had over 20 years of tenue in the org. This risk was taken not out of resentment but out of the love for the agency and those who were passionate about the work they do. It was one of the most terrifying things to do but a risk that benefited so many others who felt their voices were not adhere to.

Cecil, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a macro level lens whose work has focused on practice and implementation in Mental Health, Education and Social Justice.

I received my Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Emporia State University and Masters of Social Work from University of Missouri-Kansas City. With over a decade of experience in mental and medical health, I worked with all demographics, developed roles within outpatient mental health settings, implemented strategies, best practices and worked within the community to assist families of color on the micro, mezzo and macro level. I have worked to implement trauma informed care, equity and restorative practices, client-centered and solution focused. Within K-12 education, I have been active in the Hickman Mills C-1 school district as a previous employee, shareholder and served as Board of Education Director and President. Currently I am an adjunct professor at University Of Missouri- Kansas City School of Social Work, teaching Systemic Oppression. I am also is the lead builder in the grassroots organization The Kansas City Black Mental Health Initiative devoted to inclusion in the mental health to destigmatize mental health in the KC metro Area’s Black Community. Within the last two years, I’ve has served as the Clinical Director of Adult Programming at NewhouseKC. Recently, I have opened Radical Empowerment Services, a private practice focused on the wellness and empowerment of community shareholders (adolescents, adults and couples with emphasis on K-12 Educators, frontline workers, health professionals, athletes; active and retired).

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would choose the same profession. Social Work has provided me all the opportunities and scope to be able to help people and address social welfare: which has always been my passion. Being able to assess on a micro, mezzo and marco lens keeps me well rounded and prevents burn out as I am addressing not just the internal barriers that are present in a person’s journey to wellness, but external barriers (policy, systems) as well.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My resilience in my journey was modeled by my youngest daughter. She was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and has multiple medical issues. She has spent about half her life in the medical system. With all the barriers presented, she remains fierce, assertive, and caring.

I have experienced significant loss and grief when it came to my oldest daughters as my previous marriage presented estrangement due to my fleeing of domestic violence. Allyn, my youngest, continues to show me how to overcome these obstacles and preserve the unreasonable odds.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCBMHI
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecil-wattree-msw-lcsw-lscsw-b7b7121a5/

Image Credits
*Our First Info Session, February 22,2020* *Our First Board Meeting, September 27, 2022 *Our Financial Backer and supporter, Uzazi Village assisting us with donations to provide free therapy, 2020″