Indiana University School of Social Work, four individuals smiling at cameraIndiana University School of Social Work, speaker at a podiumIndiana University South Bend celebrated Night of the Titans honoring recipients of the 2022 Alumni of the Year. The IU School of Social Work honored 2018 BSW and 2021 MSW alumnus, Aja Ellington,  

IUSSW South Bend Director, Dr. Otrude Moyo, highlighted Aja’s professional achievement in her introduction: 

“Aja has shown unwavering commitment to Indiana School of Social Work – South Bend Campus. Her willingness to give back to social work and mentorship of students is exemplified in sharing her experiences as a social worker with other students. Last spring, she provided a video recording of her experiences at IUSSW South Bend Campus, which was shared as part of a keynote to the Graduate Symposium April 28th, 2022.
Aja is a progressive thinker who serves the South Bend, community as an exemplary mental health professional representing several organizations committed to innovation, change, and solutions to decrease poverty and disrupt mental health stigma.

Aja is the founder and CEO of Free Your Wings Youth Mentoring, Inc., a community-based non-profit organization striving to break the barriers restricting the success and growth of youth living in poverty. In addition, she currently serves as Group Violence Intervention (GVI)/Standing Against Violence Everyday (SAVE) Community/Education Resource Coordinator within Goodwill Industries.

In this role, Aja mentors youth within South Bend schools and practices restorative justice by responding to incidents of gun violence to prevent retaliation and support those at-risk survivors. From her past social work roles, she has developed skills in client-centered case management, clinical mentoring, trauma-informed care, mental health and addictions counseling, and advocacy which she now uses to empower and educate others through public speaking and authorship. As the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 award, South Bend Empowerment Zone Excellence and Service Award, City of South Bend Obama Award, chairperson of several standout organizations, and recognized business coach, her motivation stems from motherhood, growing up in poverty, and her dream of breaking generational cycles. Currently, Aja Ellington is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart.

As social work community, we are proud that Aja Ellington is a courageous ambassador of community at IU SB.” 

Congratulations, Aja Ellington!