Stephen L. Murphy grew up as the sixth of nine children in Birmingham, Alabama, where he learned early the value of hard work, diversity, and service. His father, Billy A. Murphy Sr., ran a local plumbing business and served as a Birmingham firefighter for nearly two decades. His mother, Rosalyn D. Murphy, instilled in him the power of advocacy, empathy, and treating others with dignity. These foundational values would carry Stephen through immense challenges and shape his mission-driven approach to social work.

At the start of his freshman year of high school, Stephen lost his father unexpectedly and soon after faced homelessness with his family. Despite these hardships, he persevered, becoming the first in his family to earn collegiate degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama.

Licensed independently in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, Stephen has built a career marked by versatility, compassion, and systemic impact. His work spans child welfare, chemical dependency, medical and correctional social work, HIV/AIDS care, Veteran Affairs, regulatory compliance, and nonprofit education initiatives. He has championed youth success through college and career readiness programs, and volunteered with organizations across Birmingham, Richmond, Petersburg, and Atlanta, always with a mindset of building stronger communities together.

Currently, Stephen serves as Division Chief of Medical & Behavioral Health Services in a county Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. There, he leads strategic oversight of care delivery, budget management, program development, and equitable service access for justice-involved individuals. He integrates trauma-informed frameworks, regulatory rigor, and relational leadership to advance systemic healing and accountability.

Stephen’s journey is both personal and collective, proof that resilience, purpose, and unity can transform lives and institutions. He remains committed to ensuring every individual, team, and community receives the care and opportunity they deserve.