53rd Annual Convention

Speakers Bureau

The ABPsi, being the principal body consisting of renowned Black psychologists in the USA and beyond, is responsible for taking the primary role in declaring and defining our way of knowing and being that defines the special parameters and content of our Being as a science and disciplinary praxis and to properly address the psychological needs of African/African Diaspora. These breakout sessions will highlight Black excellence in research, theory, and practice by leading scholars and future scholars.

Symposia, Paper, and Poster Presentations

Concurrent Session

  1. Examining the Effects of an African-Centered Model of Therapy (OCT)

  2. A) The Impact of Studying African Psychology and Therapeutic Practices on a Cohort of African-Heritage Mental-Health and Wellbeing Professionals

B) The Haitian SKH DJR From Theory to Practice

Speakers Info:

  1. Linda James Myers, PhD, John E. Queener, PhD, Tania Lodge, PhD, Ciara Dennis-Morgan, PhD, Karla McDay, MSW, LISW-S

  2. A) Michele Perry-Springer, PhD, Rameri Reshkhi Moukam, MA, Nu Shen Ankhu, Clancy Williams, MA

B) Charlene Desir, EdD, Wade Nobles, PhD, Guy Jeanty, PhD, Elizabeth Louis, PhD


Concurrent Session

  1. Strength Happens Through Unity: An Exploration of the Relationship between the Superwoman Schema, PTSD, and Emotional Regulation among Black Women

  2. A) Sawubona Healing Circles

B) Perceived Discrimination, Cultural Mistrust, and Mental Health Among African Collegians

Speakers Info:

  1. Gwendolyn Singleton, PhD, Huijun Li, PhD, Brittany Griffin, PhD, Veronica August, BA

  2. A) Ashley Zollicoffer, MS; Theopia Jackson, PhD; Dana Collins, PhD; Laneay London, MSW; Robin Onwong'a, MA

B) Shaina Hall, BS, Carly Coleman, BS, Tia Kelley, BA, Keoshia Harris, MA, Myya Singletary, MA

Concurrent Session

  1. Black Men Breathe: Combating Systemic Oppression through Egyptian Yoga

  2. A) COVID-19: Stress and Academic Success Among African American Young Adults

B) African Psychology: Breathwork, Ancestral Meditation, Spiritual Readings, and Consultation

Speakers Info:

  1. Jonathan M Lassiter, PhD, Khanh Pham, BA, Kainaat Anwar, BA, Caitlyn Clarke, BA, Danny Fluker, BA

  2. A) Leona Johnson, PhD, Gwendolyn Singleton, PhD, Huijun Li, PhD, Nkosi Singleton, Coonima Kennedy, Cianna Clinkscales

B) Ifetayo Ojelade, PhD, Maat Lewis, PhD, Zawadi Powell, MBA,

Concurrent Session

1. The Transhistorical and Transgenerational Impact Trauma Epigenomically and Neuropsychologically

2. A) Engagement of Connected Healers and Healing using African-Centered approaches for Sexual Assault Trauma

B) COVID-19 Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Gender Differences in African American Communities

Speakers info:

  1. Benson Cooke, EdD, Kimberly Bell, PhD, Nathalie Mizelle, PhD,

  2. A) Yolanda Bogan, PhD, Rhea Porter, PhD, Chelsey Henderson, Rhonda Wells-Wilbon, DSW, Ria-Skylar Brooks, BS

B) Gwendolyn Singleton, PhD

Concurrent Session

1. Liberating Black Women and Restoring Humanity: Applying Womanist and Optimal Psychology

2. A) Black by Demand: A Model for Black Student Mental Health Engagement at PWI's

B) Moving Pain to Power: Black Graduate Students Experience of Racial Trauma and Resilience

Speakers info:

  1. Thema Bryant, PhD, MDiv, Linda James Myers, PhD,

  2. A) Tanisha Pelham, MS, Shawntell Pace, MEd, Jatawn Tickles, MS, Jasiah McCalla, MEd, Collette Hilliard, PhD

B) Joneisha Hickson, MA, Aaron Bethea, MA, Canaan Bethea, MA, Shakita Branch, MA

Concurrent Session

1. Divine Feminine Energy: The Revolutionary Ideologies of the African/Black Women in the Black Panther Party as Pathways to Optimal Wellbeing

2. A) NTU(TM): Past, Present, and Black to the Future NKONSONKONSON

B) Healing Together: Models of Group Therapy for African Descent University Students

Speakers info:

  1. Sharon Bethea, PhD , Joneisha Hickson, MA

  2. A) Tracy Garrett, PhD, Evette Clarke, MA

B) Shawntell Pace, M.Ed., Jashiah McCalla, M.Ed., Jatawn Tickles, Tanisha Pelham, MS, Collette Chapman-Hilliard, PhD

Continuing Education Credits Presentations

(1.5 credits per presentation)


  1. Black Men Breathe: Combating Systemic Oppression through Egyptian Yoga

  2. The Transhistorical and Transgenerational Impact Trauma Epigenomically and Neuropsychologically^

  3. The Relationship between the Superwoman Schema, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Emotional Regulation among African American Woman

  4. Liberating Black Women and Restoring Humanity: Applying Womanist and Optimal Psychology

  5. The Divine Feminine Energy: The Revolutionary Ideologies of the African/Black Women in the Black Panther Party as Pathways to Optimal Wellbeing ^

  6. Examining the effectiveness of an African centered model of therapy (OCT)

Certification in African/Black Psychology (CABP) Presentation

  1. African Psychology: Breathwork, Ancestral Meditation, Spiritual Readings, and Consultation

  2. The Impact of Studying African Psychology and Therapeutic Practices on a Cohort of African-Heritage Mental-Health and Wellbeing Professionals

  3. The Relationship of Race-based Trauma: Black Identity, and Spirituality

  4. Engagement in Connected Healers and Healing using African-Centered approaches for Sexual Assault Trauma

All CE presentations are CABP-approved.

Poster Presentations


Poster Outline.pdf

Poster #1 - A Path Forward to Healing: An Examination of Suicidality among African American Adolescents

Presenter: Rhonda Lewis, PhD

Poster #2 - Exploring the Disenfranchised Grief of Incarcerated Family Systems

Presenter: Lori Banfield, DMFT

Poster #3 - NTU Informed Strategies for Black Women in Academia

Presenters: Vanessa Oliphant, MS, Jermaine Robertson, PhD, Deja Clement, MS, & LaRicka Wingate, PhD

Poster #4 - Defeat and Suicide as Predictors of Entrapment Among Black Women

Presenters: Alexis McGhee, Kirstin Sylvester, Deja Clement, & LaRicka Wingate, PhD

Poster #5 - An Assessment of the Relationship Between the Internalization of Negative Stereotypes, Spirituality, Perceived Social Support, and Depression Among Black Women

Presenters: Maia Crumbie, BA

Poster #6 - PWI vs. HBCU: Perceptions of Racism and Understanding African American Students College Experiences

Presenters: Taylor Garland, MS, & Stephen Jefferson, PhD

Poster #7 - Scientific Racism's Impacts on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Presenters: Pamela Hall, PhD, Brittini Thomas, BA, & Latrisha Robinson, BA

Poster #8 - Cultural Mistrust, Perceived Discrimination, and Vaccine Hesitancy in the Black Community

Presenters: Pamela Hall, PhD, Brittini Thomas, BA, & Latrisha Robinson, BA

Poster #9 - Healing For Us, By Us

Presenters: Nimot Ogunfemi, MS, Briana Williams, MS, Alissa Irvin, MS, & Helen Neville, PhD

Poster #10 - Silence Matter: Messages of Affirmation vs Erasure for Black LGBTQ+ Students Attending HBCUs

Presenter: Briana Williams, BS

Poster #11 - Stressor Appraisal as a Mediator Between Childhood Trauma and Depression in Black Sexual Minority Men

Presenters: Ashley Foye, BA, & Jonathan M. Lassiter, PhD

Poster #12 - Fix Your Crown Queen: Supporting Black Girls Through A Culturally Enriched Social-Emotional Learning Intervention

Presenters: Meagan Scott, M.Ed., Kandace Webb Mossing, M.Ed., Josalyn Foster, M.Ed., & Jazmin Harris, M.Ed.

Poster #13 - The Effects of Daughter and Father Relationships and its Impact on Romantic Relationship Satisfaction in Black Women

Presenters: Serena Bradshaw, BS

Poster #15 - The Relationship of Race-based Trauma, Black Identity, and Spirituality

Presenter: Dennis Winkler, PhD

Poster #14 - The Roles of Cultural Assets and Teacher Trust on Early Career Black Collegians Success in School

Presenters: Jasiah McCalla, M.Ed., Nikolas Reid, BS, & Collette Chapman-Hilliard, PhD

Poster #16 - Credibility Heuristics and the Black Church

Presenter: Teairra Evans, MA

Poster #17 - Unifying the Social Capital of Black Male Coaches and Psychologists to Support Psychological Wellness for Black Youth

Presenters: Jarrett Murphy, BA, Mitchell Allen, BA, & Isaac Woods, PhD

Poster #18 - Validation of the Cross Racial Identity Scale on Adult African Americans

Presenters: Kathleen Giarratano, MA, Nicole Kitajewski, BA, Catherine Beer, BA, Matthew McCue, MA, Jessica Cardinalli, MA, Tysheann Grant, PhD, & Constance Dalenberg, PhD

Poster #19 - A Space to Flourish: Creating Community for Black Doctoral Women

Presenters: Tina Armstrong, PhD, Rachel Kolade, MA, & Dinisha Mingo, MS

Poster #20 - Why African Americans Continue to be Underdiagnosed for Depression: What Mental Health Providers Need to Know

Presenter: Diamond Bracey, MA

Poster #21 - The Aversive Impact of Stigma on Black People Diagnosed with Schizophrenia

Presenter: Obianujunwa Anakwenze, MA

Poster #22 - Diversity and the Black Mental Health Workforce

Presenter: Laneay London, MSW