Provost Wendi S. Williams, Ph.D., Presenting at the Western Psychological Association Convention on April 26 Provost and Senior VP Wendi S. Williams, Ph.D. Distinguished Speaker will be presenting at the Western Psychological Association Convention on April 26. The title of her presentation is On Refusal and Recovery: Black Women and Girls Lead Anyway. Provost Williams will delve into the resilience of Black women and girls in leadership roles, despite facing numerous challenges. Drawing from her book, "Black Women at Work: On Refusal and Recovery," and her experiences interviewing Black women leaders on her podcast, "She Been Ready! The Podcast," Dr. [...]

Provost Wendi Williams, Ph.D., Provides Opening Remarks for Psychologists in Racial Justice Conference Provost and Senior Vice President Wendi S. Williams, Ph.D., gave opening remarks for the inaugural Psychologists in Racial Justice Conference on March 15. The conference’s theme was “If Race is a Social Construction, Why Does It Matter So Much?” Conference topics included addressing and challenging whiteness in training and practice, making race and racism explicit in mental health practice, research for racial justice, breakout sessions, and more. The Psychologists for Racial Justice is a collection of psychologists trained in the tradition of Dr. Janet E. Helms, creator [...]

Join Fielding Alums for “The Arc of Our Universe Bends Toward Justice” on March 6 The mental health sector is currently experiencing heightened activity. Profound existential concerns regarding safety and survival linger deeply in the human psyche, posing barriers to harmonious coexistence among individuals from diverse cultural, religious, and physical backgrounds. You are invited to join alums Dr. Ruth D. Edwards and Dr. Loretta M. Hobbs for an Ethnography Salon 2024 event titled "The Arc of Our Universe Bends Toward Justice" on Wednesday, March 6, from 7-8:30 a.m. PT | 10-11:30 a.m. ET. This session will delve into the allegorical [...]

Black History Month: African Americans and The Legacy of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 By Sheila Turner Over the last couple of years, there have been continued stories and discussions about the United States Voter Rights Act, a law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. Some states have sought to change or implement policies to limit and/or make it difficult for African Americans to exercise their right to vote. I want to highlight some heroes who fought for our voting rights.  I will briefly discuss the works of Thomas Mundy Peterson, Mary Church Terrell, Fannie Lou Hamer, [...]

Black History Month: Why Black Mental Health Matters By Sheila Turner Despite efforts in awareness and advocacy, the mental health needs of Black people remain under-addressed. From race-based and historical traumas to systemic inequalities, various factors contribute to the challenges faced by African American and Black individuals in navigating their mental health journeys. Let us reflect on why Black mental health matters and why it is essential to prioritize it. First, we must understand the historical context. The legacy of slavery, segregation, and ongoing racial discrimination has left scars on the spirit of the Black communities. From the brutality of [...]