Candidate Statements & Profiles
The ABPsi will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary during the Annual Convention in Oakland, CA this summer.  What is your vision for establishing a solid foundation to meet the needs of the African American community for the next two years as a nominee? What do you believe are the most important internal and external opportunities and challenges facing the Association of Black Psychologists in the next four years? How would you seek to address these issues in the position nominated?
Derek Wilson, Ph.D. - Southern Regional
My vision for establishing a solid foundation for ABPsi begins with nurturing the next generation of African Psychologists and/or mental health professionals. This is done by encouraging undergraduate students to pursue graduate education while simultaneously teaching about the rich history of African Psychology through the recognition of the formation and continued efforts of the Association of Black Psychologists. Throughout my career as an academician, I have personally made it my mission to teach every psychology subject area from the perspective of an African psychology paradigm where applicable. Amos Wilson reminds us that what we teach, learn and establish should serve the interest and image of African people.

The most important internal opportunities within the Association are the sharing and continued development of African psychological knowledge - from it’s philosophical to practical research and practice design - to illuminate the psychological culture of African people around the word. ABPsi stands at the forefront for establishing the connection between Africans in the Diaspora and America. This external opportunity leads to ABPSi’s infinite possibilities for establishing social, political, economic and more importantly psychological social system of functioning that can be equivalent to our great Kemetic, Shongai, and Dogon traditions of our past. My vision is to see a fully functioning African society that connects our past to the present and through the research and the practical efforts of ABPsi’s members will carry this notion well into the future. The major obstacles or challenges continue to be distorted perceptions of what it means to be an African both internally and externally. This has been marred by duplicitous European relationship when working with those of African ancestry.  Moreover, what becomes more important, in this present day, is how one meets the challenges brought on by these circumstances.

I will address these issues by continuing to seek theoretical and philosophical connection and elaboration of our Africanity.  Molefi Asante reminds us that Africentric worldview locates the African at the center of all thought, practices and traditions. Therefore, as Southern Regional representative, I would encourage all chapters to take a more proactive approach in educating the communities in which they serve. Furthermore, I would encourage each chapter to take an active approach to integrate undergraduate psychology curriculums with African psychology. I sincerely believe that to expose a student to their own “Africaness” is to ignite the natural genius within our students majoring in psychology and thus continue to cultivate the future of African Psychology.

Years of affiliation with the ABPsi: 15 years

Employment:  Assistant Professor/ Undergraduate Coordinator, Prairie View A&M University

Education: (Degree—Area of Study—Institution): Ph. D., Clinical/Community Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Certification and Licensure:

Recent Professional Experience: Currently, Professor for Prairie View A&M University for four years.  Post Doctoral Therapist for Evans and Evans Counseling, Chicago IL

Additional Experience and/or Activities involving the ABPsi governance: Presisdent Elect Nominee for 2008-2009 Ritual Committee and assisted with Volunteer Committee for National Conference 39th Annual ABPSi Conference Houston

Other Related Memberships: Houston Chapter ABPsi_2004-Present; Chicago Chapter ABPsi  1995- 2003;  Tallahassee Chapter ABPsi  1993-1995; Advisor, ABPsi Student Circle, Psychology Club and Psi Chi – Prairie View A&M 2004- Present

Awards and Honors: Prarie View A&M Psychology Departmental Teacher of the year 2006; Nominated for University Teacher of the Year 2007; Advise Student Research Projects 1st and 2nd place awards Betta Kappa Chi - 2005 and 2006; Advise Student Research Projects, 2nd place award for Imhotep Best Research Presenter, Florida A&M University – 2006; Imhotep Best Research Presenter, Florida A&M University –1994 Alameda County, Community Outreach Service Award – 1992

Publications and Presentations: (General overview of types of publications):_Recent publications include Journal of Black Psychology, Psychology Journal and Journal of Black School Educators on topics related to Culture, Mental Health and Education

Community Service: Katrina Hurricane Relief Efforts – HABPsi,  Culture and Mental Health conference - HABPsi