Ep. 22 feat. Ryan Parker: Navigating Social Work, Family Balance, HBCU Life, & Community Impact

Welcome back to the Do It 4 The Love Podcast, hosted by Cell Spitfire & Eric Buddy Davis! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Ryan Parker, a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 12 years of experience in mental health therapy. Ryan is not just a therapist; he is a husband, father, coach, landlord, entrepreneur, and minister of ceremony, bringing a wealth of experience and wisdom to our conversation.

Ryan’s journey began after graduating from Broadneck High School in 2005. He attended Bowie State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work in 2010, and went on to obtain his Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 2012. Growing up in Annapolis, Ryan saw firsthand the lack of services for minority groups in suburban areas, which fueled his passion for bringing therapeutic services to at-risk youth in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City.

In this episode, Ryan shares his experiences attending an HBCU, the challenges and rewards of being a social worker, and the importance of understanding and empathy in his field. He discusses the influence of his supportive relatives, the principles that guide his life, and the critical role of family in his journey. As a former board member of the St. Francis Neighborhood Community Center in West Baltimore, Ryan has been deeply committed to community service and improving access to mental health resources.