OCTOBER 1, 2022

ABPsi Adopts National Program Areas

At its third quarter meeting, the Board of Directors for the Association of Black Psychologists formally adopted national program areas. A year-long effort resulted in a resolution to adopt national program areas designed to operationalize the vision of the Association.

“I am so very pleased the Board approved this presidential goal of mine,” said Donell Barnett, President of The ABPsi. “It was important not just to have programs, but to make our program efforts consistent with the mission, vision, and purpose of the Association.  Formalizing national program areas helps us guide our overall strategic efforts and signals to the world the areas the ABPsi makes the greatest impact. “

A section of the resolution reads:

RESOLVED, that ABPsi establishes the following National Program Areas to operationalize the mission, vision, and purpose of the association:

• • • Promoting and advancing the profession of African/Black Psychology
    • Promoting optimal wellness and healing, and assisting in solving problems for Black communities in Africa and the African Diaspora
    • Influencing and affecting social change
    • Recognizing exemplary African/Black psychology scholarship and service to the Black community
    • Jegnaship and training of each generation of Black/African psychologists, mental health, and wellness scholars and practitioners

While ABPsi has always had programs, the organization had not adopted programs or program areas as official policy.

“National Programs will mobilize our chapters, expand upon our activism, and increase our visibility within the Black community. From this, ABPsi would be able to garner more sponsorships and donors.  Our level of expertise should make us a highly sought-after resource. Not only is this is a step in the right direction at this time, it is it one that I have advocated for ABPsi in the past”, said Dr. Kevin Washington, a Past President of the Association who offered a similar proposal during his administration.

Some of the existing programs ABPsi operates include the Jegnaship, Certification in African/Black Psychology, and the Sawubona Healing CirclesTM. By adopting the formal program areas the organization focuses its efforts and takes a key step towards building capacity to leverage strategic partnerships for broader and deeper impact.