Voice to Vision: Sims Fayola

Launched in spring 2026, the Graduate School of Social Work Voice to Vision series brings together the larger social work and social justice community to explore innovative solutions to enduring social problems. Featuring social work and social change visionaries, the series pairs a lecture with a continuing education workshop that will help participants apply social work skills to address the problems they see in the world, translating thoughts and ideas into meaningful social change.

Join us for our second Voice to Vision event on May 14 featuring Dr. Dedrick Simms, Founder and CEO of the Sims-Fayola Foundation as he discusses the Sims Framework, a systems design approach rooted in Belief, Structure, Practice, Alignment, and Predictability. Dr. Sims built ecosystems where boys and young men of color experience belonging, affirmation, agency, and clear pathways to academic, social, and emotional success. Exemplifying the process of transformation, Dr. Sims will share his experiences in moving from an idea to a living breathing organization making true change in the world. 

Join us on May 14 for this immersive talk and workshop where attendees will explore the Sims Fayola model with CEO and Founder Dr. Dedrick Sims. Sims is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff with a B.S. in Biology and has his M.S. and Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Development from the University of South Alabama. His career in education began 24 years ago and has spanned substitute teaching to principal of both a traditional and charter public school. Sims' knowledge about design and leadership and his passion for improving the life outcomes of young men and boys of color, will be the foundation for this events driving question: how do we take our passion and skill from a dream to a reality?

During the workshop portion of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, work through critical challenges and success, idea generation, and explore responsive and flexible reactions to a changing landscape. Attendees will walk away with knowledge about the Sims Fayola model and tools to explore non-traditional and innovative responses to issues in their own communities or organizations. 

Thursday, May 14, 2026, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Craig Hall Community Room 120 & Online via Zoom