ABPSi History

The Association of Black Psychologists was founded in San Francisco in 1968 by a number of Black Psychologists from across the country. They united to actively address the serious problems facing Black Psychologists and the larger Black community. Guided by the principle of self determination, these psychologists set about building an institution through which they could address the long neglected needs of Black professionals. Their goal was to have a positive impact upon the mental health of the national Black community by means of planning, programs, services, training, and advocacy. Their objectives were:

• To organize their skills and abilities to influence necessary change, and
• To address themselves to significant social problems affecting the Black community and other segments of the population whose needs society has not fulfilled.

The Association of Black Psychologists has grown from a handful of concerned professionals into an independent, autonomous organization of over 1400 members.

Mission, Purpose & Goals

The Association of Black Psychologists sees its mission and destiny as the liberation of the African Mind, empowerment of the African Character, and enlivement and illumination of the African Spirit.

Purpose of the Association
The Association is organized to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including but not limited to:

• promoting and advancing the profession of African Psychology
• influencing and affecting social change; and
• developing programs whereby psychologists of African descent (hereafter known as Black Psychologists) can assist in solving problems of Black communities and other ethnic groups.

To accomplish these purposes, the Board of Directors (hereafter known as "the board") shall exercise the following specific functions:

• establish a central organization of Black Psychologists;
• develop funding sources for working capital, staff support, and educational programs;
• seek funding for projects involving Black Psychologists, such projects to include, but not be limited to: Scholarly Journals, Training Programs, Recruitment of Students and Faculty and community Mental Health Care Programs; and
• work with such organizations of behavioral scientists as are able to implement the purposes of The Association.

Organizational Goals

• To enhance the psychological well-being of Black people in America.
• To promote constructive understanding of Black people through positive approaches to research.
• To develop an approach to psychology that is consistent with the experience of Black people.
• To define mental health in consonance with newly established psychological concepts and standards regarding Black people.
• To develop international support systems for Black psychologists and students of psychology.
• To develop policies for local,state and national decision making which impacts on the mental health of the Black community.
• To promote values and a life style that supports our survival and well-being as a race.
• To support established Black organizations and aid in the development of new independent Black institutions to enhance our psychological, educational, cultural, and economic situation.

Past Presidents