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?
MURIEL KENNEDY - TREASURER

***ELECTED***
If elected to serve as National Treasurer, my primary goal would be to promote and maintain the financial stability/solvency of The Association of Black Psychologists    (ABPsi) with the highest level of professionalism/personal/moral integrity while maintaining open/honest communications with the ABPsi Board of Directors and membership with a high level of transparency regarding financial matters  involving the ABPsi.  As Treasurer, my vision for establishing a solid foundation in meeting the needs    of the African American community over the next two years would be to see the ABPsi  actively pursue and secure endowments, grant funding, philanthropic support, donations  and related financial contributions from persons that are committed to the ideals of the ABPsi (i.e., “the liberation of the African Mind,            empowerment of the African Character, and enlivenment and illumination of the African Spirit.”).  I am very committed to doing my part in moving the ABPsi to the next level with the ultimate goal being for the ABPsi  to be viewed as a “premiere organization” that operates in a spirit of excellence with a          high level of professionalism, visibility, reach and personal as well as organizational    appeal to its members and the community as a whole.  The members are critical to the sustainability of the ABPsi.  As such, I view the most important internal and external opportunity facing the ABPsi being that of increasing membership while strengthening and sustaining memberships at the local and national levels (i.e., attracting new members   with a focus on retaining, sustaining and strengthening the resolve of current members to remain committed and actively involved in the ABPsi). The members of the ABPsi are the foundation of the organization and instrumental in moving the ABPsi to that next level.  As such, it is imperative that we continue to focus our energies/efforts on improving the infrastructure of the ABPsi while making a concerted effort to reach out to members that have left the organization and/or become discontented for reasons known  and unknown.

As we strive “to enhance the psychological well-being of Black people in  American,” we must also strive to enhance the psychological well-being of our members/prospective members.  And as we seek “to promote constructive understanding of Black people through positive approaches to research,” we must seek to promote constructive understanding of our members (as well as prospective members) through positive approaches to “human interactions and connectivity.”  In celebrating our 40th anniversary, we must make it a priority to individually and collectively let our fellow members/colleagues know that they are valued and appreciated for the many contributions and selfless acts of kindness and related sacrifices that they have made to the ABPsi (out of pure love for the ABPsi). As we focus our energies on strengthening     our infrastructure, I am confident that we will simultaneously increase membership (i.e., attract new members while retaining current members) which will greatly contribute to the strength, solvency and financial stability of the ABPsi   As the ABPsi’s infrastructure and membership base are strengthened, we will be in a better position to receive and   effectively manage major funding streams and/or endorsements at a higher level, as we seek to individually and collectively carry out the mission, purpose and goals of the ABPsi in meeting “the needs of the Black Community.”    

Years of affiliation with the ABPsi:     7 nonconsecutive total years                                                                      

Title and Full Business Address: (Work title—Business or Home Address):

Associate Director of Training/Associate Professor Argosy University/Washington, DC Campus

Education: (Degree—Area of Study—Institution): PhD in Clinical Psychology, Howard University                                                                                            

Licensure: Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the District of Columbia   

Recent Professional Experience: Currently working in an administrative/clinical training capacity at Argosy University where I work directly with administration, faculty, and Master’s and doctoral-level students; Actively pursuing grant funding in the area of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention

Additional Experience and/or Activities involving the ABPsi governance:

  1. 2007-present - Interim National Treasurer                          
  2. 2007- Present - DC ChapterChair                             
  3. National Convention Committee Co-Chair
  4. Personnel Committee, Co-Chair                       
  5. DC Chapter President-Elect/President/Immediate Past President                    
  6. National Convention Volunteer Committee Chair (29th Annual Convention)  
  7. DC Chapter Treasurer

Other Related Memberships: Memberships: Alliance for Democracy in Africa – Officer/Board Member

Awards and Honors:

  1. Who’s Who in America 56th Edition (2002)
  2.  Who’s Who of American Women 22nd Edition (2000-2001)
  3. The National Dean’s List Publication 18th Edition (1994-1995
  4. Hawthorne Terminal Fellowship (1994-1995)                                               
  5. Psi Chi National Honor Society (Life Member)                                               
  6. American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship (1992-1994)           
  7. The National Dean’s List Publication 15th Edition (1991-1992)                                   

Publications and Presentations: (General overview of types of publications):  Published two books that are designed to serve as teaching tools    for adults that work with vulnerable children and youth between the ages of 8 and 16 years of age;  Book one addresses issues related to parent-child interactions and challenges related to parent-child communications; Book two focuses on the role of the community in bringing about positive change in the lives of our youth and their families; Presentations have been primarily focused on clinical trainings, workshops, and in-services that focus on evidence-based practices and/or direct work with children, youth and families within a clinical-, community- and/or school-based setting.                                                                                                    

Community Service:  Actively involved in the Metropolitan Baptist Church Street Ministry which entails providing weekly transportation, food services and spiritual ministering/mentoring and counseling to persons who reside in transitional living quarters/shelters within the District of Columbia; Provide probono bi-weekly supervision to a graduate student/doctoral candidate at Howard University;  Provide pro bono    annual workshops/training to psychiatric residents at the Howard University Community Mental Health Center; Provide pro bono in-service training to practicum students within a public charter school setting upon request.