Have you ever attended an event expecting to get one thing, only to leave with a conviction you didn鈥檛 know you had? This happened to me in March of 2026 when I attended the in Montgomery, Alabama. I had never heard of the symposium or Fred Gray, but when I saw an invitation to attend, I took advantage because I was interested in learning about what they had to offer to my studies at 海角乱伦. Little did I know I鈥檇 be taking a trip down through the history of the United States and how its policies affect us thus affecting our mental health.

Fred D. Gray is a lawyer who was at the center of some of the most important civil Rrghts cases in the country鈥檚 history, including but not limited to Gomillion v. Lightfoot and Williams v. Wallace. I enjoyed learning this information because it fed into my past life of criminal law and precedent that I dealt with quite a bit in undergrad. I will admit, as the symposium went on, and I saw that it was heavy on history, civil rights, and law, I began to question how this was relevant to me as a future clinician. As I listened to the presenters who were everywhere, from lawyers to activists, something stood out to me. I can help the cause by being the person that the activists and lawyers come to in order to work through the grief and sorrow of a seemingly never-ending fight. A fight that has continued through generations. A fight that requires us all to do our part to keep the wheels turning in the right direction. Once I had this epiphany, I started to consider what everyone was saying through my current lens of a future clinician versus my past lens as a criminal justice student.

People like myself, psychology students and future clinicians, can benefit from experiences such as attending the Fred D. Gray Symposium. Though not directly related to psychology, there is so much cultural competency that can be gained from being in those rooms, meeting with the people who are doing the work and are committing their lives to seeing it through. I was able to connect with other students in attendance and discuss research and how it will benefit the human race, even if it is focused on one particular group of people to begin with. I was able to receive support and encouragement to keep going in my educational endeavors. I was encouraged to give back to those who follow in the path behind me while still driving forward to achieve my goals.

I received a 鈥淒eborah Gray Champion for Justice鈥� medallion for being a student who is pressing forward the fight for equality and being in support of the current, ever-present civil rights movement. In that moment I wasn鈥檛 really sure how I felt about it, but being a young, African American woman from the east side of Detroit, Michigan, I grew to understand what it meant, at least for me. It means that I am a part of the movement. The work that I do can and will have an impact, no matter how small I think it to be. The contributions that I plan to make to the field will come from a no-name student who has unlimited potential to become one of the greatest names mentioned in the evolution of the field of psychology. I am somebody. I matter. My voice is necessary in this fight to move us all forward. The shadow box that we received along with this medallion will rest on the wall where my diplomas hang because it is also a part of my journey. It serves as a reminder that my contributions are a part of the whole, and we all are responsible for our parts. 聽 聽

Jennifer T. Thomas-Sopekan is a current 海角乱伦 student pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. This is her second year on the 3-year part-time track. At the time of this blog post, she is in the process of applying for practicum sites for the 2026-2027 school year, after which she will graduate upon successful completion of the program. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University and a master鈥檚 in Forensic Psychology with a Law Enforcement concentration from Argosy University. She came to 海角乱伦 because it was a school that specialized in psychology with an emphasis on treating the whole of a person. She is a wife, mother of two, and seeks to make a deep, philosophical change in the field of psychology with聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽research and a dedication to her clients.聽

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In honor of this theme, the 海角乱伦 is sharing examples of how you can explore aspects of culture that Arab Americans have brought to Metro-Detroit.

Food

Located just down the street on Orchard Lake Road, ‘s menu features traditional dishes and cooking techniques from Syria. Popular dishes include different types of berak, kibbeh, and shawarma. Just over three miles from MPS is , a restaurant where the Ansara family shares the traditional dishes of their village in Lebanon. Their menu features traditional dishes like hummus, fattoush salad, kafta, and more. These are just two examples of Arab American restaurants in the area, but there are plenty of others to explore as well.

Music

is an Iraqi-American trumpeter and composer who blends traditional Iraqi music styles with jazz. His band, Amir Elsaffar New Quartet, will be on April 10th.

Dance

Zahr Al-Zatoun Dabke will be teaching beginner at the Farmington Community Library on April 12, April 20, April 26, and May 3. The classes will focus on Palestinian dabke, but the dabke is popular in many countries in the region. A performance of the Dabke from Wale3Dabke will also be part of the library’s .

Art

While there is no dedicated exhibit, the ‘s collection features numerous examples of Arabic art. These artifacts include both contemporary and ancient art from a range of Syrian, Egyptian, Iraqi, and Sudanese artists, to name a few.

Celebrate the “Many Voices, One Community” with a visit to the Arab American National Museum. The only museum dedicated to Arab American history and culture in the United States is located just 20 miles south of 海角乱伦 in Dearborn. The museum covers everything from the Arab world to early immigration to famous Arab Americans and more. 海角乱伦’s Structural Racism Programming Committee and the Middle Eastern and North African Psychology Club will be hosting a trip to the museum on April 11th.

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Each year, the National Women鈥檚 History Alliance establishes a theme to guide the celebrations of the month. The 2026 Women鈥檚 History Month theme is . This theme recognizes women who are making impactful and long-lasting environmental, economic, educational, and societal change. The theme reminds us that sustainability requires systems that not only honor the planet but also support people.

In honor of this theme, the 海角乱伦 is sharing the stories of two women making change in each of the four theme categories. For each category, one of the women we will be highlighting has strong ties to the state of Michigan.

Environmental

is an environmental activist best known for living in a redwood tree for over two years to prevent a logging company from destroying the century-old forest. By the time her sit-in ended, the area of the forest she was fighting for became protected, and the logging company donated $50,000 to forestry research. Hill would go on to continue participating in environmental protests and founded the .

became Michigan’s first Environmental Justice Public Advocate when Governor Whitmer created the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in 2019. Prior to her current role, Strong had over 30 years of work in environmental justice, advocacy, and public affairs focusing on clean, renewable energy, the Great Lakes, and more.

Economic

won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics 鈥渇or having advanced our understanding of women鈥檚 labour market outcomes.” Dr. Goldin’s work evaluated the changes in structures and societal norms that have allowed more married women to enter the workforce. She has also conducted significant research on the gender pay gap.

is a professor of economics at the University of Michigan and a former Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of Labor. Dr. Stevenson is considered a leader in understanding public policies on the labor market, along with women’s and families’ experiences with the labor market. Her expertise led her to serve as an advisor to President Obama and the US Treasury.

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is an educator from Long Beach, California, known for her work revolutionizing how to teach high schoolers who were previously considered “unteachable.” Working primarily with students from underprivileged backgrounds, Gruwell recognized the need to connect what she was teaching to her students’ daily lives. The story of Gruwell and her students has become a phenomenon, leading to the New York Times Bestseller The Freedom Writers Diary,聽the film聽Freedom Writers,聽and the creation of the .

is a professor of teacher education at Michigan State University, a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, and a National Conference on Research in Language and Literacy Distinguished Scholar.聽 Dr. Edwards’ work focuses on how educators partner with parents to improve literacy, regardless of their own level of literacy. Additionally, she serves on the Michigan Department of Education’s Family Engagement Stakeholders’ Taskforce.

Societal

is an advocate and legal scholar who coined the term “intersectionality,” which addresses the simultaneous experience of both racism and gender inequality. Crenshaw’s work has led her to work with the United Nations and to lead workshops and trainings across four continents.

is a pediatrician and public health advocate who was one of the early whistleblowers on the Flint water crisis. During her work addressing the crisis, Dr. Hanna testified before Congress, authored a book, and advocated on local, national, and global media networks. She now directs the Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Public Health Initiative, which is continuing to research and monitor the impact the lead water has on Flint’s population.

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The ASALH has continued to lead the celebrations of Black history, choosing a national theme to guide the celebrations each year. This year’s theme is . The ASALH selected this theme to encourage us to “explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world.”

In honor of this theme, the 海角乱伦 is sharing just a few individuals who played an important part in Black history for each decade since the celebrations began.

1920s

, often referred to as the founder of Black History Month, was a founding member and the director of the ASALH. Dr. Woodson became dedicated to highlighting Black history after being denied access to the American Historical Association’s conference. Throughout his entire life, Dr. Woodson worked tirelessly to preserve and elevate the contributions of Black Americans, a mission the ASALH continues to this day.

1930s

In 1936, reached unparalleled Olympic success when he won four gold medals in track & field. Not only was this an incredible physical achievement, as he was the first American to win four gold medals in a single Olympics,聽but Owens did this at the Berlin Olympics聽in 1936, where his wins clearly illustrated the falsehoods of Nazi Germany’s race theory.聽聽After returning from the games, Owens spent a significant amount of time working with youth sports and black history programs.

1940s

The 1940s were dominated by the events of World War II. For Black history, this time marked the founding of the , an elite squadron in the United States Air Force comprised of the first Black military aviators. The Tuskegee Airmen are famous for rarely losing a bomber on their escort missions, and many of them would go on to have historical careers in the US military as it began desegregating in 1948.

1950s

became the first Black quarterback in the modern NFL when he took the field for the Chicago Bears in 1953. Following years of an unofficial Black player ban and beliefs that Black men were not suitable team leaders, Thrower’s time as quarterback forever changed the league and inspired the next generation of Black football players.

1960s

The 1960s are perhaps the most well-known in Black history for the Civil Rights movement and the likes of the Greensboro Four, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. It also saw the beginning of more representation for Black Americans in the federal government. In 1965, became the first Black person to serve in a cabinet position, as the first secretary of the newly created Department of Housing and Urban Development, became the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge, and became the first Black senator to be elected via popular vote.

1970s

In 1971, 聽 became the first Black business owner to have his company listed on a major American stock exchange. His company, Johnson Products Company, sold Black haircare products and was started with just a $250 loan.

1980s

was the first Black person to pilot a space shuttle in 1985 when he flew the Challenger. In 1989, he would become the commander of the聽顿颈蝉肠辞惫别谤测,听making him the first Black person to hold this position as well. Gregory would later go on to become the first Black person to serve in a senior role in NASA.

1990s

In 1993, became the first Black woman and the first Black American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Morrison is known for her novels聽Beloved, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, but she also edited for Random House and was a professor at numerous Ivy League schools.

2000s

made history as the first Black President of the United States of America when he was elected in 2008. This title was made official when he was inaugurated in January of 2009. Being a “first” was nothing new for Obama, who had previously been the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review.

2010s

became the first Black gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal in 2012. During these games, she also became the first American of any race to win both the all-around and team gold in a single Olympics. Douglas’s success helped to set the stage for a new age of American gymnastics.

2020s

100 years after we started, Black Americans are still creating history and inspiring the future. In 2020, during a game in Tampa Bay, Jerome Boger, Barry Anderson, Julian Mapp, Carl John, Dale Shaw, Anthony Jeffries, and Greg Steed became the . Upon her inauguration in 2021, became the first Black Vice President of the United States and would become the first Black woman nominated for President by a major US political party in 2024.

Additional Resources

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This semester, the Structural Racism Programming Subcommittee of the 海角乱伦 Institutional Equity and Anti-Racism Committee (IEARC) ran the 海角乱伦 Book Club. The club read聽by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Coates has been called “the single best writer on the subject of race in the United States” by the聽New York Observer and has provided students with an insightful look into how racial trauma can impact their future clients.聽

As we continue our journeys of learning, the committee has put together a list of additional readings related to structural racism 鈥� the embedding of discriminatory practices within societal institutions that result in privileging white people while perpetuating deeply ingrained inequities among historically marginalized groups. By facilitating a greater understanding of the historical and contemporary systemic issues facing marginalized populations, we hope to encourage culturally responsive practices in our field of psychology.聽

Check your local libraries and favorite booksellers for purchasing and borrowing options. Titles marked with * are available to current students through the Moustakas Johnson Library.聽

Non-Fiction Book Recommendations:

Between the World and Me (2015) by Ta-Nehisi Coates *

Stride Toward Freedom the Montgomery Story (1958) by Martin Luther King, Jr.聽

Superior: The Return of Race Science (2019) by Angela Saini

Fatal Invention (2011) by Dorothy Rovers

Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See, Think, and Do (2020) by Jennifer I. Eberhardt, PhD

Black Detroit: A People鈥檚 History of Self-Determination (2017) by Herb Boyd

Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat From Racial Equity (2010) by Tim Wise *

How to be an Antiracist (2019) by Ibram X. Kendi, PhDB

It’s Time to Talk (and Listen): How to Have Constructive Conversations About Race, Class, Sexuality, Ability, & Gender in a Polarized World (2019) by Anatasia S. Kim, PhD, Alicia Del Prado, PhD *

Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives鈥昦nd how We Break Free (2024) by Tricia Rose, PhDH

Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without a Bullhorn) (2023) by Omkari Williams聽

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing (2017) by Joy DeGruy, PhD *

Racism Not Race聽(2021) by Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan Goodman

Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence: Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race (2015) by Derald Wing Sue, PhD *

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) by Robin DiAngelo, PhD

Fiction Book Recommendations:

Black Bottom Saints: A Novel (2020) by Alice Randall

Homegoing (2016) by Yaa Gyasi

Such a Fun Age (2019) by Kiley Reid

The Turner House: A Novel (2015) by Angela Flournoy

The Underground Railroad (2016) by Colson Whitehead

Hot Comb (2019) by Ebony Flowers

Documentaries & Podcast Recommendations:

Between the World and Me on .

Last Days of Chinatown *

Racial Microaggressions: Impact and Implications for Counseling Practice featuring Derald Wing Sue *

Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America on

by Nikole Hannah-Jones

13th on

Stamped from the Beginning on

podcast by Ibram X. Kendi, PhD

podcast by Tim Kiska, PhD

Special thanks to the Structural Racism Programming Subcommittee (Dana Erickson, Rachel Melton, Carrie Pyeatt, Georgia Seely, Stephanie Swanberg, Kinsey Tekiele, and Candi Wilson) for their contributions to this post.

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The transgender community faces a number of struggles and dangers for simply trying to live authentically. From managing dysphoria and rediscovering one鈥檚 identity, to direct attacks on the lives of transgender people, the community has had, and continues, to fight for survival and the right to exist. This is especially true for Black and Brown transwomen and femmes, who despite often being at the frontlines of organizing and protecting the community, continue to face the highest rates of discrimination and violence within the community.

One way to honor this day is to organize or attend a Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil in your area. While it can be difficult to mourn loved ones or community members, it provides an opportunity to process and experience grief as a community. If you can鈥檛 make it to a vigil, you can take time on your own to learn about and honor the stories of transgender people who have died. It is important for people to know their names and the history of the community.

Another way to honor this day is to spend time with and check in on your transgender and non-binary loved ones. If you yourself are a part of the community, take the time to experience and process the different emotions that may come up, such as anger or fear. This can be a heavy time, so creating space for taking care of yourself in ways that work for you is important. If you are not transgender or non-binary, reach out and support your transgender and non-binary loved ones or take time to educate yourself on the transgender and non-binary community, its history, and the dangers the community faces today.

All transgender and non-binary people deserve the right to live safely and happily as themselves, and Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to remember the people who had this right taken from them.

While it is a day of mourning, it is also a day of community building and hope. Everyone has a part in uplifting and supporting the transgender community and working to protect them from all forms of harm. In the words of B Parker and Micah Bazant, 鈥淕ive us our roses while we鈥檙e still here.鈥� We must remember the past, and the transgender people who tragically lost their lives, but we must also honor the transgender people who are still here and look towards creating a future in which the community does not have to face this violence.

Here are some community resources in the Michigan area that are doing the work to fight for, protect, and celebrate the transgender and non-binary community, along with some additional resources and information about TDOR and the community.

Community Organization

• – an LGBTQ+ community center in Ferndale
• – an advocacy group & event series for the Transgender and Non-binary community in Detroit
• – a non-profit organization for LGBTQ+ in Detroit
• – a non-profit organization for supporting transgender and non-binary youth and their loved ones

Additional Resources

Jasmine Ionie Hobson (they/he) is a PsyD1 student interested in working with marginalized populations such as the LGBTQIA+ community from a humanistic and liberatory lens.

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Last March, I was part of a group of representatives from 海角乱伦 who attended the Inaugural Symposium of the Fred D. Gray Institute for Human and Civil Rights in Montgomery, Alabama. The values which have guided Gray鈥檚 remarkable and historic career are now being upheld by the Institute, and 海角乱伦 is an enthusiastic partner in this important work. At the Symposium, leaders from the legal profession, higher education, medical ethics, and civil rights advocacy groups committed to ongoing efforts to contend for equal access to higher education and good medical care, as well as voting rights, and fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for all people.

One outgrowth of this commitment was the Institute鈥檚 first Dialogos event, held last month at the Case Western Reserve University School of law (Gray鈥檚 alma mater) with a focus on discussing and developing action plans to ensure equal access to educational opportunities. I was honored to participate in the Dialogos as one of 24 invited delegates.聽 The discussion was spirited and rich, and explored opportunities for meaningful and collaborative action involving educators, policy makers, and the legal profession to ensure that learning, equity, and justice come together in all of the spaces in which we engage, to shape a better future for all.

The 海角乱伦 is proud to be a part of this work and we are committed to continued engagement with the . We鈥檒l provide continued updates as action plans develop and come to fruition.

海角乱伦 President
Brian L. Stogner, PhD

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The (NCHEPM) leads the process of selecting an annual theme each year. This theme is chosen from community submissions and is used by federal agencies, organizations, and schools observing Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, they have selected the theme “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.” In honor of this theme, we are celebrating the legacy of Hispanic American innovators throughout history and highlighting modern-day players.

Honoring the Past

Puerto Rican, was the . Despite facing discrimination at the beginning of his career, Roberto played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning 12 Gold Gloves, two World Series, and a league MVP award. Off the baseball diamond, Roberto served in the US Marine Corps and was a dedicated humanitarian who died attempting to deliver supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake.

Army Staff Sgt. was the first Mexican immigrant to receive the Medal of Honor, serving as a non-citizen during World War II. Garcia was injured on D-Day and again after returning to his unit on the front lines in Germany. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge by President Truman in 1935.

was the first Hispanic American to have a professional role in the National Park Service. He played an essential role in establishing the management and protection of the parks’ wildlife and funded this project himself from 1928 until it was adopted into the budget in 1931.

Inspiring the Future

identifies as both Puerto Rican and Mexican. As a songwriter, actor, producer, and director, most known for his work on Broadway’s Hamilton and Disney’s Moana, Miranda has received the Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards.

became the first Hispanic and Latina Justice to serve on the United States Supreme Court in 2009. She is a graduate of Yale Law, where she served as editor of the Yale Law Journal, and has served as the Assistant District Attorney in New York County, as a Justice to the US District Court, and the Court of Appeals. With backing from both President George H.W. Bush and President Obama, Sotomayor has received political appointments from both sides of the aisle.

was born in Venezuela before moving to New York to start what would become one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses. Herrera has created gowns for the likes of Jackie and Caroline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Tina Fey, and Taylor Swift. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2008 and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s 2024 Hispanic Heritage Award for Fashion.

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