ABPsi

Hotep Family!

It was more than a pleasure to see so many eager, energetic, and dedicated students at this year's Annual Convention in Los Angeles, California. My mission as chair this term is to foster an environment for the advancement of our people within our communities, schools, and organization as a whole. As a people, I would like to foster advancement through education. Our founders made education a core part of our organization, so helping create and maintain a pipeline from undergraduate to graduate level and beyond is essential to the growth of ABPsi. After this year's convention I have no doubt that I am not alone in this endeavor.

Coming into ABPsi as an undergraduate was more than overwhelming for me; little did I know, I would have a number of people surrounding me to serve as support systems and Jegnas throughout my life. I have been able to share in the lives of others within ABPsi through weddings, child births, and personal successes. I mention these things because they speak directly to my mission statement. I want to see the relational aspect of ABPsi grow and root itself within the lives of our members. Students are essential to the continued growth within our organization, which is why one of my main focuses is to continue to strengthen our Jegnaship program. This entails assigning Jegnas to students when they enter the organization and strongly encouraging student involvement in committees on the board.

My board is very strong this year, and I have no doubt that together we will uphold the values that ABPsi has set for us, and serve as innovators within our organization to foster and maintain growth. I am so excited to work this year with such a passionate group of people. They have already begun developing their committees and strong connections with students. It is my hope that our board can exercise a strong work ethic in efforts to accomplish our endeavors throughout this term. It is also my hope that we raise awareness to other African American students about our organization so that they too can begin to make active change with the help of their peers across the nation. In raising awareness within our field and communities about the Association of Black Psychologists, we are able to develop a stronger presence which is essential to our growth as an organization.

I will end with this scripture that I think sums up my personal mantra and goals for the upcoming term, "When someone has been given much, he has much power and much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (Luke 12:35-48).

Peace and Many Blessings!

Gabrielle Johnson