Association of Black Psychologists

Founding Members

The 28 founding members of the ABP were Joseph Awkard, Aubrey Escoffery, Florence Farley, Wiley Bolden, Jane Fort, George Franklin, Alvis Caliman, Avlin Goings, Robert Green, Norman Chambers, Robert Guthrie, William Harvey, Harold Dent, Leslie Hicks, Thomas Hilliard, Anna Jackson, Walter Jacobs, Adelbert Jenkins, Reginald Jones, Melvin King, Lonnie Mitchell, Wade Nobles, David Terrell, Dalmas Taylor, Charles Thomas, Ernestine Thomas, Robert Williams, and Joseph White.

Members of this group represented a myriad of psychological disciplines, professions, and locations across the United States.

First Actions–Responses

The formative group of founding members submitted seven petitions of concerns proposing that the American Psychological Association (1) officially endorse the Kerner Commission's Report of Civil Disorders; (2) develop or implement policies related to the African American community; (3) bring its resources to finding solutions to the problems of racism and poverty; (4) establish a committee to study the misuse of standardized psychological instruments; (5) reevaluate the adequacy of certified training programs in clinical and counseling training programs in terms of their relevance to social problems; (6) recommend to each psychology department steps to be taken to increase the number of African American students in their graduate program; and (7) implement and evaluate the progress of the foregoing recommendations in consultation with representatives from the ABP. The requests were received and reviewed by the American Psychological Association, but they were not fulfilled.

Current Association Goals

By examining approaches to research that had traditionally represented people of African descent as deviant, including but not limited to the inferiority, deficiency, or disadvantaged models, the goals of the association became not only to enhance the psychological well-being of people of African descent but also to promote constructive understanding through positive approaches to research. These research goals expanded to include the development of psychological concepts and standards consistent with African or African American culture, the development of support systems for psychology students, and the promotion of values that support well-being. Association members were also encouraged to foster relationships with local, state, national, and international policymakers to better influence the mental health and community needs of the African-descent community. Several annual awards are granted each year, including an award to support student research and an award for service, scholarship, and community service.

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