Introduction
I walked into my first Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) Convention with nervous feelings. I had been involved with ABPsi for years during my undergraduate studies. I started as an event coordinator, served as the President of my student chapter, and now serve as the Associate Editor for PsychDiscourse. Yet, despite my involvement, I still felt like I was entering unfamiliar territory.
I was afraid of how I would be perceived by others. I did not know if I had the proper attire. I had never participated in a libation ceremony. The elders used language and terminology that I did not fully understand. I wondered if other people would question whether I belonged in this space.
Reflecting on this experience, I initially saw the convention as an opportunity to deepen my involvement with an organization that I love. I did not realize that it would challenge me to understand what it means to belong to an organization with a legacy and rich history that I now have the pleasure and responsibility of leading and serving.
Mentorship Matters
I double-checked my schedule to make sure I was punctual. After entering the meeting room, I took a seat, and read over my presentation notes. Shortly after, I was greeted by the president-elect, who lovingly placed a hand on my shoulder and suggested that I join the Students and Elders Breakfast.
Upon my arrival, I walked around the arrangement of chairs and tables, searching for a space to join. Then, from the corner of my eye, a hand gestured for me to join a table. At that moment, I truly felt welcomed into the space.
During the breakfast, I learned from early career professionals about the importance of having someone more experienced to help guide and affirm you. I also learned that mentorship does not have to come from one person. Having multiple mentors with diverse perspectives and experiences allows each person to bring something different to the table.
ABPsi is an organization with a wealth of knowledge and a community that spans generations. It is a blessing to be able to be in the presence of elders and soak up their knowledge. Throughout the convention, they spoke life into us and reminded me of the importance of learning from those who came before me.
What I Learned
One of my favorite parts of the convention was seeing the wonderful research being conducted by my peers in graduate education. It was empowering to walk into the student research poster session and see statistics and findings that centered the Black experience. This was especially powerful in our current political climate, of limited funding and increased censorship.
Three doctoral students stood out to me. The first was Kyrah Frank and her research on hope as a protective factor against suicidal ideation among Black women. Her work introduced me to the idea that the criteria for PTSD do not account for race-related trauma. I was shocked by this, because race-related trauma can have a lasting and significant impact on someone’s life and identity. It made me question the psychological education I have received and consider what gaps still exist within the field.
Next was Kennedy Pope, who focused on anger expression in Black women. This appealed to me because of my own recent revelations about the subject. I began thinking about how, as future clinicians, we can create treatment spaces that allow Black women the opportunity to express their anger. I saw myself in this research.
Lastly, Tyler Hughes’ study on making schools a homeplace for Black girls resonated with me. As a Black girl who did not always feel safe at school, I wondered how my own educational experience might have been different if my school had prioritized making me feel safe and supported. Perhaps I would have been more eager to participate socially, academically, and in extracurricular activities.
Each poster presentation left me with more curiosity and questions. I realized that I not only want to consume and use research in my practice, but I want to contribute to it as well.
Liberation Is Collective
To liberate our communities, we must work together. An African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The Gun Violence Forum and the State of the Association meeting were a testament to this message.
During the Gun Violence Forum, hosted by past president Dr. Donell Barnett, collective action against gun violence in urban settings was discussed among a panel of experts. I was excited to hear about different organizations working to answer the question of how to address gun violence in the Black community. One of my biggest takeaways was the statement, “You can’t lead Black people if you don’t love Black people. You can’t save Black people if you don’t serve Black people” (Andrew Muhammad). In trauma-related work, there must be genuine love and passion for the people we serve.
The strength and transformative nature of love was also emphasized during the State of the Association. Many of the wonderful initiatives within ABPsi were highlighted, including the School & Organization Consultation Committee, Sawubona Healing Circles, Global Institute, International Relations Committee, and National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations.
I was captivated by President Swift’s address to the crowd. She described the past year as one filled with attacks on Black unity and attempts to disrupt our progress. She spoke about an “enemy spirit” that can manifest as pride, negativity, ignorance, and vindication. To overcome the enemy, we need the spirit of love. We must be in love with one another to reach our destiny. Without each other, we will not get there.
This message reminded me of my study abroad experience in Ghana. During that experience, one of our faculty members told us that as Black people, we cannot liberate ourselves alone. We need to join organizations and work together to create change. At ABPsi, I realized that I had found an organization that I wanted to work with in that collective pursuit of liberation. I had heard the call before. Now, I had found a community through which I could answer it.
The Illumination: Spirit in Reality
I am not separate from the people and history that came before me.
I began my experience at the convention unsure of myself. During The Illumination: Spirit in Reality discussion, I started to understand myself differently. I am not someone who needs to prove that I belong. I am someone inheriting and continuing a legacy that started long before me.
One idea that resonated with me was, “I am the ancestors that have come back to complete what they left incomplete.” In order to connect with spirit and the ancestors, I simply need to have a relationship with myself.
I can allow myself to exist unapologetically and embrace the totality of who I am. This means embracing all the dimensions of my personality and expressing these aspects of myself through my interactions with other people because they bring out different sides of me.
These concepts and the wisdom shared by Dr. Wade Nobles, Dr. Mawiyah Kambon, Dr. Wesley Muhammad, and Dr. Anthony T. Browder feels true to me. I began to think about identity and belonging differently. I do not have to choose one version of myself to belong in any group. I can embrace all of who I am while understanding that I am connected to something much greater than myself.
Walking Away: What Responsibility Comes with Belonging?
I am more curious than ever and inspired. In a time when so many forces seek to divide us, erase our histories, and diminish the importance of culturally responsive mental health care, I found myself in a room full of people committed to doing the exact opposite. The love and appreciation for Black people, culture, knowledge, and tradition were felt throughout. It was an honor to attend this year’s convention.
My questions now are: How do I continue to nurture my relationship with ABPsi? How can I serve ABPsi? How can I continue to add to the legacy of this organization?
These four action items are parts of my answer:
- Learn. Have a willingness to learn. Review and study ancient knowledge. Ask questions. Be curious. Every person you meet, every conversation, and every experience is a lesson. I want to go back into the archives and take a deeper dive into ABPsi’s history, learn about its founders, and understand the work that has been done before me.
- Love. Love yourself. Love one another. Love what you do and do everything in love. I want to continue connecting with the people I met at the convention and nurturing those relationships.
- Apply. What I learned at the convention cannot just stay with me or in my notepad. I need to take what I learned and apply it to my life, my work, and my future career.
- Serve. Use what I know, my love, and my experience to serve my community and help my community.
