Nubian Sun, PhD, LCSW-BACS

Clinical Associate Professor

She/Her

Download CV:
Nubian Sun smiles

Biography

Dr. Nubian OmiSayade Sun, born in Memphis, TN (Home of the Blues), is a visionary Healing Centered Leader, Educator, and Social Entrepreneur, dedicated to dismantling systemic inequities, fostering healing-centered learning environments, and inciting the spirit of social entrepreneurship across systems of practice. Holding a doctoral degree from the prestigious, Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Sun's scholarly contributions provide insight into the experiences of marginalized communities across community and institutional settings. As a dynamic speaker, Dr. Sun has engaged audiences, inspiring critical conversations and mobilizing action for transformative change. Dr. Sun's commitment to healing-centered engagement extends beyond academia, as they actively collaborate with community organizations and institutions to amplify marginalized voices and co-create pathways to social entrepreneurship with underrepresented individuals. Dr. Nubian Sun continues to leave an indelible mark on academia and the broader movement for a more just and healing-centered society.

Education

  • PhD in Social Work Policy, Planning, and Administration (Cognate: Africana Women's Studies) - Clark Atlanta University
  • Master of Social Work - University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Nashville Campus
  • Bachelor of Social Work (Minor in Africana Studies) - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Highlights, Honors & Awards

  • Dedication to WKU Social Work Students Award- 2016
  • SisterReach Reproductive Justice at the Intersections Award - 2019
  • Nominated: GADE Donna Harrington Award for Excellence in Mentoring of Doctoral Students- 2023
  • Outstanding Support of 4EverCaring Evonne Award- 2023

Selected Publications

  • Sun, N., Starks, S. (2016). Nguzo Saba as a Framework for Mentoring Black Female Students at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Journal of Colorism Studies. Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 6.
  • Huggins, V., Sun, N., Davidson, T. (2018). E' truth Mouth: Exploring Cultural Linguistic Self-Efficacy Among Gullah Speaking People of Charleston, SC. International Journal of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 11: Iss.1.
  • Sun, N. (2019). Motherhood as Immortality. In D. Culbreth and J. Jung (Eds.), Our Voices, Our Stories: Advancing, Celebrating, Embracing and Empowering Girls and Women of Color Anthology. Complexity Publishing.
  • Sun, N. (2021). Book Review: A Dirty South Manifesto: Sexual Resistance and Imagination in the New South. Affilia, 36(4), 685-686.
  • Sun, N. (2021). Reflection/ Action/ Process (RAP) Notes© [Reflection Tool]. SHU Digital Commons, 2021. Available at https://sacredheart.elsevierpure.com/ws/portalfiles/portal/39957606/RAP%20NOTE%20%5BReflection%20Tool%5D.pdf
  • Sun, N., Warren Barnes, K. (2023). Book Review: America, Goddam: Violence, Black women, and the struggle for justice by Lindsey, T. B. Affilia, 39(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/08861099231176528
  • Sun, N. (2023). Review/Evaluate/Assess/List (R.E.A.L.)© [Debrief Tool]. SHU Digital Commons, 2023. Available at https://sacredheart.elsevierpure.com/ws/portalfiles/portal/39957731/REAL-%20Debriefing%20%20Method.pdf
  • Sun, N., Warren Barnes, K. (2024). Book Review: Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World. International Journal of Social Work and Ethics. 21(1), 13. DOI: 10.55521/10-021-100.
  • Warren Barnes, K., Sun, N. (2024). Book Review: You Should be Grateful: Stories of Race, Identity and Transracial Adoption. Child & Family Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.13173
  • Sun, N. (2025). Healing-Centered Leadership and Anti-Racist Social Work Practice Across Systems. Cognella Academic Publishing. [Full Manuscript Submitted]. 

Selected Funding

  • 2020. Project Co-Leader. A Study of Reproductive Healthcare Needs and Barriers of  Formerly Incarcerated Individuals. $2,000. Emily Schoenbaum Community Development Grant - Tulane University.
  • 2020. Project Co-Leader. Saving Lives Including Our Own: Best Practices of Healing Informed Leadership among Black Women Reproductive Justice Leaders in the South. $1,300. Newcomb Faculty Grant - Tulane University.
  • 2017-2018. Project Co-Leader. Perceived Self-Efficacy of Social Work Students of Color at Predominantly White Institutions. $5,000. Faculty Awards for Service,Teaching, and Research Committee Scholars in Service Grant- University of Southern Indiana.
  • 2016-2018. Program Monitor/Evaluator. Coroner’s Psychiatric Recidivism Prevention System (CPRPS). $16,830. Orleans Parish Coroner's Office- New Orleans Forensic Center- RAND Institute. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG).
  • 2017-2018. Project Faculty Member. UNCF Career Pathways Initiative. Undisclosed Amount. Tennessee State University-UNCF Career Pathways Initiative Grant .The United Negro College Fund/ Lilly Endowment.
  • 2016-2017. Project Leader. Project L.I.F.E. $2,000. Western Kentucky University Center for Citizenship and Social Justice.
  • 2016. Project Leader. Inside-Out Prison Education Research Group. $800. Western Kentucky University Institute for Citizenship, Service and Responsibility (ICSR). 

Community Involvement

  • Community Service Chair, National Association of University Women- New Orleans Chapter
  • Technology Committee Member and Out of State Member Lead, Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale, New Orleans, LA
  • Community Consultant, The Friends of Freedom House, New Orleans, LA
  • Executive Board Member, Sister Reach, Memphis, TN
  • Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tennessee (Virtual)
  • Advisory Member, National Bailout Collective (National)