Equity & Inclusion Archives - The �� (��)

Fred Gray Symposium PsyD Student Reflection

Dana Erickson — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:24:33 +0000

In March, a group of faculty, staff, and students from �� attended the in Montgomery, Alabama. The symposium brought together a variety of individuals committed to social justice, civil rights, and education.

Very rarely have I experienced an event that affirmed I am in alignment with my true purpose. When Dr. Stogner first mentioned the Fred Gray Symposium, I was eager to attend. I felt honored to be in a room filled with people who used their personal gifts to change the world. I was inspired by how normal, everyday individuals committed themselves to making a difference. This conference allowed me to see roadblocks where I would normally see stop signs.

For me, traveling to Montgomery felt symbolic, as if I had been chosen by my ancestors to walk the same roads and acknowledge what I carry within me. I learned things about my history that I was never taught in public school. I felt new emotions. I thought about the people who came before me, and what it meant to sit in a room with Fred Gray, recognizing how his legacy informs the responsibility I now carry as a developing professional.

Ironically, the session that deeply stayed with me focused on justice and the responsibility I hold as a professional. During that session, I reflected on the many ways I intend to use my degree to create change. To my surprise, I was called to the front of the room to receive the Deborah Gray Champion for Justice medal. This moment solidified that I am on the right path and aligned with my destiny. It was truly an honor to be entrusted with such a meaningful duty to my community.

Another speaker expressed concern that conversations about race are being pushed out of classrooms and history books. Not surprisingly, this shift is occurring with the authority of national leadership, not because race has stopped mattering. Rather, telling a more accurate story about our nation can make people uncomfortable. When lived experiences challenge the preferred narrative, the response is often to remove the topic rather than explore solutions or spread awareness.

Although I learned a great deal at the symposium, one statistic in particular stayed with me. In Alabama alone, there are over 900,000 registered Black voters, yet more than half are labeled inactive or infrequent. This raises many questions: How many Black voters in Michigan are considered inactive or infrequent compared to other voters? Is there an issue with how the importance of voting is communicated? Is there a disconnect in access or ability to vote? Or is there another underlying reason that has not yet been identified? It made me wonder whether the system was designed this way? If so, why, and is there anything I can do to change it? I left with the understanding that the deeper work lies in addressing the barriers that limit full participation for some communities. This topic is urgent and current, particularly as the proposed SAVE Act introduces additional challenges that many are unaware of.

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Kierra Poydras is a graduate of ��’s MA program and current student in the PsyD Program.��

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Pride Month

Dana Erickson — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:45:44 +0000

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and the + recognizes other identities not encompassed by the acronym) community. Pride began as a commemoration and celebration of the New York City Stonewall Uprising, which is often cited as the start of the modern LGBTQIA+ Civil Rights movement. According to Governor Whitmer’s , “Michigan has been at the forefront of advancing civil rights for LGBTQ+ people, beginning with the nation’s first non-discrimination ordinance passed in 1972 in East Lansing, and the nation’s first Civil Rights Commission to independently recognize that discrimination ‘because of sex’ includes sexual orientation and gender identity in 2018.” The rise in over the past few years makes these, and other protections, all the more important.

For clinicians, Pride presents an opportunity to ensure proper awareness of the necessary guidelines for implementing affirming treatment with the LGBTQIA+ populations. The American Psychological Association has suggested guidelines to assist clinicians in implementing this culturally competent practice with the LGBTQIA+ community: ��and��.��Additional considerations for�� are also necessary.��For more information on the relationship between Pride and psychology, check out this��blog from Dr. Shepler.

In celebration of Pride Month, the �� is highlighting opportunities to join celebrations across Metro-Detroit this year.

is the largest Pride celebration in the state and will be taking place in Hart Plaza on June 6th and 7th. Motor City Pride includes a parade taking place at noon on June 7th, multiple entertainment stages featuring LGBTQIA+ artists, and a variety of vendor booths highlighting LGBTQIA+ non-profits and small businesses

strives to be a place for not only individuals, but also for families to gather in celebration and support of the LGBTQIA+ community. This year, Warren City Pride is taking place on June 13th at the Warren Civic Library. The event is free to attend, and all funds raised will be used to support LGBTQIA+ families in Warren and surrounding areas.

Schoolcraft College is hosting the on June 20th from 11 AM to 2 PM. The event features local vendors, live entertainment, food, and family fun.

This year, Farmington is taking a new direction with its Pride celebrations and is launching its first-ever on June 20th from 4-8 PM. This event will be creating an evening of shared community through partnership with small businesses located in the downtown area.

will be taking place from 1-5 PM on June 28th in downtown Berkley. Berkley Pride began as a grassroots gathering and has evolved into an annual celebration bringing thousands of people together to celebrate the spirit of belonging. Berkley Pride features a live DJ and music, vendor booths, food, a kids’ activity tent, and a teen lounge, which means there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Pride doesn’t just end in June! ��’s student organization IDEA will be attending�� on July 25th, and there are Pride events scheduled through September. For more of these opportunities, check out Pride Source’s .

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Jewish American Heritage Month

Dana Erickson — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:26:13 +0000

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. This month, which has been federally designated since 2006, recognizes the contributions Jewish Americans have made to the United States. Before becoming a heritage month, Jewish Heritage Week has been celebrated since 1980. “Jewish Americans have worked to improve the conditions of marginalized groups across the nation, including during the Civil Rights Movement,” said Governor Whitmer in her 2026 for Jewish American Heritage Month.

This year, �� is celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month by sharing the stories of prominent Jewish Americans who are featured on various Jewish American Heritage posters for 2026.

Ezra Jack Keats is a children’s author and illustrator, best known for The Snowy Day, which won the Caldecott Medal in 1963. This award recognizes the work of the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Ezra had shown a talent for art beginning at a young age, but had put his career on the back burner to fight in World War II, where he used his talents to help design camouflage. His decision to join the army was deeply personal, as his parents had fled to Brooklyn from Poland decades before due to rising antisemitism. Once his literary career took off, Ezra became an avid advocate for childhood literacy.

Much like Ezra, Maurice Sendak is a children’s author and illustrator who was born to Polish parents in Brooklyn, New York. Maurice wrote and illustrated over 100 children’s books, including Where the Wild Things Are, As I Went Over the Water,��and more. Maurice’s illustrations were largely the result of independent study, as he was almost exclusively self-taught. He remains the most honored children’s illustrator in history, having received the Caldecott Medal in 1964, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award in 1983, and the National Medal of Arts in 1996, among others.

Emma Lazarus was a poet and activist best known for her poem��“The New Colossus,” which is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Despite coming from a wealthy family, Emma worked as an aide on Ward’s Island, assisting Jewish immigrants who immigration officials had detained. She was also involved in various charity efforts to support refugees. The impacts of these experiences, along with her own Portuguese Sephardic Jewish heritage, are reflected in her poetry.

Judy Blume is yet another well-known author whose 29 titles range from children’s books to adult novels and everything in between. Her well-known titles include��Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,��Blubber, and the Fudge Series. Given the wide variety of topics Judy’s books have covered and her desire not to shy away from sensitive subjects, she is often found on banned-authors lists. Instead of giving in to the pressure of these bans, Judy is incredibly involved with the National Coalition Against Censorship and has received countless accolades for this work. Blume is also the founder of an independent, non-profit bookstore in Key West, Florida.

Rabbi Buchdahl is known for breaking down barriers. She was the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi in North America and is the first woman to lead New York’s Central Synagogue’s Reform congregation. Her background of being born in Korea but being raised by her interfaith parents in the United States uniquely prepared her to overcome the challenges of being a trailblazer within the Jewish Community, and is the focus of her bestselling memoir,��Heart of a Stranger.��

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first Jewish woman, and the second woman ever, to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice Ginsburg’s career is often defined by her work to fight against gender discrimination, which began early in her academic career. In 1971, she helped in founding the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project and became the first woman to receive tenure from Columbia Law School in 1972. Her time on the bench was spent in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980 before being nominated to the Supreme Court in 1993. As a justice, she continued her work advocating for gender equality, often writing the court’s opinion or dissent letters on such cases.

Judith “Judy” Heaumann is widely regarded as “The Mother of the Disability Rights Movement.” Judy began using a wheelchair after contracting polio as a child and faced significant discrimination, being denied the right to attend school as a child and then as a teacher by her local school district for being a “fire hazard.” After suing the New York Board of Education, she became the first wheelchair user to teach in the state. She is most well-known for leading the 504 Sit-In in San Francisco and her work on the development and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Michael Twitty is a culinary historian who examines the traditions of African American foodways and its impact on food culture in the American South. Michael believes in culinary justice, which honors the Ancestors, builds for the future, and celebrates heritage through food. He also has a special interest in identity cooking and, as a Jewish African American, he specifically explores the melding of Kosher and Soul food. He is the author of The Cooking Gene.��Michael’s work is an important reminder that food plays an essential role in shaping culture and has a history that should not be forgotten.

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Community Impact Award for Equity and Inclusion

Dana Erickson — Thu, 07 May 2026 19:19:48 +0000

At this year’s Multicultural Conference for Belonging and Inclusion, the conference committee announced the recipient of the inaugural Community Impact Award for Equity & Inclusion. The Community Impact Award for Equity & Inclusion aims to recognize the outstanding contributions, actions, and/or commitment of an �� community member related to their efforts to increase equity and inclusion. This work may come in the form of advancing awareness of diverse groups or promoting issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion through work, research, daily interactions, and/or volunteering. Nominations were open to students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

The 2026 Community Impact Award for Equity & Inclusion was presented to PsyD student Dennis Brown (MA with ABA ’23), who stood out in his commitment, advocacy, contributions, and impact related to equity and inclusion.

Dennis has demonstrated a clear and sustained commitment to advancing equity and inclusion through his clinical work, research, leadership, and community engagement. His efforts consistently center marginalized and underrepresented populations, particularly Black communities and youth in underserved areas. For example, during his internship with the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, he provided psychological services to youth ages 5-17 in an underserved Detroit community, utilizing trauma-informed and community-centered approaches. His outreach work at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Counseling Center further reflects this commitment. There he engaged in campus programming and built relationships with diverse student organizations to increase awareness and access to mental health services.

Dennis’ research agenda is also deeply rooted in equity. His dissertation examines intergenerational trauma and Black identity during emerging adulthood, amplifying the lived experiences of a population often underrepresented in psychological research. Additionally, his conference presentations and publications address culturally adapted therapies, internalized oppression, and racial trauma, demonstrating his ongoing efforts to bridge research and practice in ways that are culturally responsive and socially impactful. Dennis’ work reflects a long-standing and evolving commitment to equity and inclusion rather than short-term involvement.

When asked about receiving the award, Dennis said, “Here I am, days later, still in shock to receive this award for equity and inclusion. I’ll continue holding safe spaces and advocating for equitable change in our community, because it starts with one person to create change for many. Thank you.”

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Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Dana Erickson — Wed, 06 May 2026 18:59:11 +0000

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. AANHPI heritage has been federally celebrated in May since 1977, beginning as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week, before being declared a heritage month in 1992. It is a time to reflect on the contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made to the sciences, arts, industry, government, and commerce in our nation. In her for the month, Governor Whitmer stated: “members of the AAPI community have shared their resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed, which have strengthened our great democracy.”

Each year during AANHPI Heritage Month, the��selects a theme to guide celebrations across the nation. This year, they have selected the theme “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.” The goal of the theme is to leverage collective power, tell stories, and build bridges. Additionally, the imagery selected for this year’s celebration features a bridge to represent the shared values of innovation, resilience, hard work, connecting, and a sense of belonging that are prevalent in many AANHPI communities.

In honor of this theme, the �� is sharing the stories of just a few AANHPI leaders who have been identified as bridge builders.

Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco to Chinese parents in 1873. Despite having traveled between China and the United States in the past with no issue, he was denied entry back into the US following a trip in 1894 due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. With the help of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Wong would argue that his rights as a US citizen were being denied. This would lead to the landmark Supreme Court Case��United States v. Wong Kim Art which codified what we now know as birthright citizenship as a constitutional right.

Sonal Shah was the founding President of The Asian American Foundation, which is the largest philanthropic effort dedicated to AANHPI people. She is also the founder of Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation, which allows students to partake in social impact projects. In 2021, she became one of the commissioners for the first President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In this role, she and other AANPI leaders assisted with the creation of policy to address anti-Asian sentiments and promote AANHPI culture.

Ramsay Taum is a member of the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, is the director of Pacific Islands Leadership Institute at Hawaii Pacific University, and the founder of the Life Enhancement Institute of the Pacific LLC. In all his roles, he is known for integrating Native Hawaiian practices into contemporary business models. This work serves to help Hawaiian industries thrive in a global market while retaining their cultural identities. This work has led him to be awarded the University of Hawaii’s Star of Oceania honor, which recognizes individuals who have raised greater awareness of Oceania and its people to the world.

Dalip Singh Saund became the first Asian American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1956. Saund, was born in India’s Punjab province, where he became familiar with nonviolence and civil disobedience before moving to the US to attend the University of California. He was a supporter of Gandhi’s independence movement, and his criticism of British rule made it difficult for him to return home following his graduation, so he decided to build a life in America. He began his political career organizing support for a bill that would allow Indian immigrants to become naturalized citizens. Following his election to Congress, Saund was a staunch supporter of civil rights, often leveraging his own personal story to garner support.

Ruth Nomura Tanbara was born to Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s. In 1942, Ruth and her husband were forced to choose between an incarceration camp or assisting the War Relocation Authority with the resettlement of Japanese Americans to the Midwest or the East Coast. Facing this tough choice, the couple became the first Japanese Americans to resettle in St. Paul, MN. During this time, they talked to churches, schools, and other community organizations about Japanese Americans in an attempt to build acceptance. Ruth remained a strong activist following the end of WWII and Japanese internment, serving on the board of a variety of organizations, including the Japan America Society of Minnesota, and helping to repeal a law barring Japanese immigrants from gaining citizenship.

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Fred Gray Symposium MA Student Reflection

Dana Erickson — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:34:00 +0000

Have you ever attended an event expecting to get one thing, only to leave with a conviction you didn’t 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 ��. Little did I know I’d 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’s 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 “Deborah Gray Champion for Justice” 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’t 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. ��

Jennifer T. Thomas-Sopekan is a current �� 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’s in Forensic Psychology with a Law Enforcement concentration from Argosy University. She came to �� 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�� research and a dedication to her clients.��

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Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month

Dana Erickson — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:01:34 +0000

April is Arab American Heritage Month. This month, which became federally recognized in 2021, is a time to reflect on the contributions and rich culture of Arab Americans.�� Each year, the Arab American Foundation establishes a theme to guide the month’s celebrations. The 2026 Arab American Heritage Month theme is This theme recognizes that Arab Americans trace their heritage to (Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) with distinct cultures and perspectives, while honoring the shared values that unite them as a community.

In honor of this theme, the �� 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 �� in Dearborn. The museum covers everything from the Arab world to early immigration to famous Arab Americans and more. ��’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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Celebrating Women’s History Month

Dana Erickson — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:41:31 +0000

March is Women’s History Month. This month, which began as Women’s History Week in 1980, is a time to reflect on all the contributions women have made to our world while not always having the same rights and privileges as men.�� In her Women’s History Month Proclamation at the start of this month, Governor Whitmer shared “Michigan women continue to break barriers, shatter ceilings, build ladders, connect bridges, and make history in seen and unseen ways every single day.”

Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance establishes a theme to guide the celebrations of the month. The 2026 Women’s 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 �� 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 “for having advanced our understanding of women’s 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.

Educational��

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,��the film��Freedom Writers,��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.�� 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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IDEA Black History Month Spotlights

Dana Erickson — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:58:12 +0000

In honor of Black History Month, ��’s student organization the Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Alliance created a weekly spotlight on Black trailblazers in psychology. Each week, IDEA created a flyer highlighting one trailblazer and shared it via weekly emails and social media posts throughout Black History Month. As Black History Month comes to a close, we’re excited to share the contributions of these amazing Black psychologists with you.

Dr. Beverly Greene, PhD is one of the pioneers of intersectionality. As one of the first openly lesbian African American psychologists, she is best known for her work on racism, sexism, and intersecting marginalized identities. With over 100 publications and 11 books, she was recognized for her work by the APA in 2023 with the Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology. She is currently a professor at St. John’s University, but graduated from Adelphi University with her PhD in 1983.

Dr. Greene has oftentimes expressed that she did not intend to become a scholar or writer. Early in her career, she worked at Kings County Municipal Hospital’s Inpatient Child Psychiatry Division in Brooklyn. While working there, she was placed in charge of training interns and residents and began writing about the things she was teaching. These writings ultimately transformed her career and launched her body of work that boasts 12 works which have received national awards for pioneering and distinguished contributions to the literature.��

Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser, PhD is the first Black woman in the United States to have earned a doctorate in Psychology. Dr. Prosser focused on education and the effects of racism. She studied how racism impacts children’s mental health and Black children’s learning experience in differing educational settings. Dr. Prosser evaluated whether the negative impact of children being potentially exposed to racism at school may outweigh the advantage of attending integrated schools.��

Dr. Prosser contended educational opportunities were persistently limited by racial inequality, although she acknowledged that some may thrive within integrated educational systems with better educational opportunities. Equity in education and concerns of racial bias in educational settings remain a national issue today. Dr. Prosser taught in Black colleges, Tilloston College in Austin, Texas, and Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. She aided many Black students in receiving funds for further education. Dr. Prosser made contributions to improving education and was an outstanding voice for the Black community. Her improvements in education are still evident today in many teaching policies.��

Dr. Reginald Wilson, PhD, did not start his life knowing that he wanted to be a psychologist. His childhood dream was to be a pilot, which bore fruit when he enlisted during WWII and became one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. After the war, Dr. Wilson took advantage of the GI bill to get his PhD in psychology at Wayne State University (where he also completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees). He received the Distinguished Service Medal from the City of Detroit for his contributions to urban reform.��

Dr. Wilson was also involved in civil rights protests in the 60s and 70s and founded one of the first Black ski clubs in the United States. One of Dr. Wilson’s lifelong projects was the advancement of racial equity in education. He was the founding director of the Office of Minority Concerns at the American Council on Education, one of the founding members of the Michigan chapter of ABPsi, and the president of Wayne State Community College for 10 years. He was also the editor of journals such as Minorities in Higher Education and Race and Equity in Higher Education, and authored books such as Think About Our Rights: Civil Liberties and the United States.��

Dr. Francis Cecil Sumner is recognized as the “Father of Black Psychology” and was the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology. As a teenager without a formal high school education, he passed the entrance examination to Lincoln University and graduated with magna cum laude honors. He later enrolled at Clark University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1916. Following his graduation, Sumner returned to Lincoln University as a graduate student and was mentored by psychologist G. Stanley Hall. His academic progress was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War I.��

After returning, he re-enrolled in the doctoral program at Clark University. In 1920, he successfully completed his dissertation titled “Psychoanalysis of Freud and Adler.” Dr. Sumner went on to publish multiple scholarly articles, despite facing racial discrimination and being denied research funding because of his race. Dr. Sumner’s legacy as a scientist, educator, and trailblazer establishes him as an essential figure in the history of psychology. His perseverance in the face of institutional barriers allowed him to make enduring contributions to the advancement of psychology and society for future generations.��

A special thanks to Francesca Belisario (PsyD 2) and IDEA for their work on these spotlights.��

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Celebrating Black History Month

Dana Erickson — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:39:23 +0000

February is Black History Month. This year is a particularly special celebration as it marks a century of Black history celebrations, as the celebrations began in 1926 with the�� (ASALH) first national Negro History Week. This celebration would morph into the Black History Month we know today when it became federally recognized in 1976. In her Black History Month Proclamation at the start of this month, Governor Whitmer shared that “studying this important part of our history and reflecting on the burdens of racial prejudice and stereotypes can open the door to innovative ideas and provide insight into building an environment in Michigan that supports our continued efforts to combat racism, to strive toward racial equity, and to be a place of freedom, opportunity, and inclusiveness for everyone.”

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 �� 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,��but Owens did this at the Berlin Olympics��in 1936, where his wins clearly illustrated the falsehoods of Nazi Germany’s race theory.��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, �� 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��Discovery,��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��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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