Doreek Charles, MSW

Doreek Charles, MSW has a research focus in structural/institutional racism and how centuries of oppression, discriminatory policies, and institutional practices have produced stark disparities in access to opportunities and outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). She is specifically interested in structural racism in the U.S. housing system, including historic residential redlining and current racial residential segregation and how this leads to racial disparities in wealth, health, education, and criminal justice. Doreek is committed to maximizing human potential and examining social hierarchical structures where access to power, privilege, advantages, and wealth is granted based on physical characteristics.

Doreek earned her MSW degree with a concentration in policy, planning, and administration and certification in Gerontology/Aging Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked in the field of aging and disability policy, practice, and research. She currently works at UConn Health, Center on Aging as a Research Associate 2, supervising research associate staff and is the project manager for the continued algorithm, system development, testing, and quality management of the Universal Assessment for the CT Department of Social Services (DSS).

MSW

Virginia Commonwealth University

Research Interests:

Structural/Institutional Racism
Racial and Health Equity
Racial Capitalism
Human Rights
Anti-Racism
Discrimination and Oppression
Older Adults and Aging
Health and Economic Disparities/Outcomes
Substance Abuse/Behavioral/Mental Health
Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress
Mindfulness and contemplative approaches

Visit Doreek’s CV