“Violeta served as a guest speaker in my undergraduate social work seminar course where she delivered an engaging and deeply impactful presentation on anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice. She spoke with passion, clarity, and authenticity, skillfully connecting clinical knowledge, lived experience, and social justice in a way that felt both grounding and practical for emerging professionals. Students left with a stronger understanding of trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and concrete ways they can practice more ethically and intentionally in their future work. I look forward to inviting her back and highly recommend her for academic, professional, and community audiences.”
— Dr. Tiera Smith, LMSW-C
Social Work Instructor
“Violeta’s ability to discuss the intimate ties between race and class; structural poverty and pathology of power; and critical race studies is the societal medicine needed. She has opened the eyes and hearts of teenagers at our annual Ralph Bunche Institute through the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University for two years. And this year orchestrated and participated in a game changing panel on gun violence and protracted racism in America. If you’re serious about reconciliation and social justice then hire her.”
— Dr. Eric Montgomery, Wayne State University Peace & Conflict Studies
“Violeta Donawa is, hands-down, one of the most intentional and emotionally intelligent people I’ve had the pleasure to work with. She exudes an infectious sense of respect and love for all people, and is able to maintain a balanced group work environment that promotes both productivity and attention to self-healing, which makes all people in her team feel supported and loved. ”
— Dillon Cathro LMSW, Staff at The University of Michigan, School of Social Work
