The Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood
Supporting the Personal and Professional Wellbeing of Early Career Black Women Scholars
The Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood is a transformative space designed to support early career scholars and faculty who identify as Black women. Rooted in both academic excellence and personal empowerment, the Institute centers the unique experiences of Black women navigating professional and research environments that are often diverse, yet not always inclusive.
This multi-faceted experience blends personal development with professional growth, offering a supportive space to explore topics such as:
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Thriving—not just surviving—in academic and research settings
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Navigating microaggressions, bias, and institutional barriers
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Building authentic networks and supportive communities
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Cultivating mental wellbeing and self-care in high-pressure environments
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Moving from isolation to connection through community building
Through guided discussions, interactive workshops, and reflective sessions, participants will be equipped with tools to enhance their resilience, nurture their holistic wellbeing, and step confidently into leadership roles. More than a professional development program, the Institute is a space for healing, affirmation, and collective empowerment.
Apply to Participate
The Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood is open to advanced graduate students, early career, and mid-career scholars engaged in academic or research-related fields. Participants are strongly encouraged to submit a poster proposal to showcase their research, community work, or practice-based scholarship. Accepted posters will be featured during a dedicated research poster session and are an excellent opportunity to gain visibility and strengthen your CV.
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Participation in is free of charge; travel and accommodations are not covered
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Space is limited to 40 participants.
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Selected registrants will be notified by January 5, 2026.
This is a unique opportunity to engage in personal development, build community, and thrive in your academic and professional journey. Early application is encouraged due to limited space.
FRIDAY MARCH 6, 2026
Morehouse College
Spare Room
9:00am- 10:45am
Spelman College
Spare Room
2:00pm- 3:00pm
Spelman College
Spare Room
11:15am- 12:15pm
Spelman College
Spare Room
12:30pm- 1:45pm
Centering Black Women Poster Presentation Session:
Research, Identity, and Impact
This interactive poster session showcases research that centers the experiences, contributions, and voices of Black women—whether as scholars, participants, or subjects of inquiry. Scholars will present work that spans diverse disciplines and methodologies, reflecting the depth and richness of research for, by, and about Black women. Attendees are invited to engage in meaningful dialogue, offer constructive feedback, and build scholarly connections. This session also serves as a collaborative space for faculty and researchers committed to advancing work that affirms and uplifts Black womanhood in all its forms.
Beyond the Name Tag:
Networking as Community for Building in Academia
This interactive workshop explores networking not just as a tool for career advancement, but as a powerful means of building authentic community and support—especially for Black women navigating academic spaces where they are often underrepresented or marginalized.
Centering the positionalities and lived experiences of Black women scholars, this session examines the challenges and opportunities of forging meaningful connections across disciplines, departments, and institutions. Participants will reflect on how race, gender, and power dynamics shape access to networks, and will be guided in developing intentional strategies for creating relationships rooted in mutual care, collaboration, and professional growth.
Whether you’re seeking mentorship, research partners, or a stronger sense of belonging, this workshop offers space to reimagine networking as an act of resistance, restoration, and radical community building.
Key Topics Include:
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Navigating visibility, tokenism, and isolation
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Building cross-institutional and cross-rank relationships
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Cultivating networks of care and collaboration
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Shifting from transactional to transformative connections
Presenter: Dr. Dionne Stephens, Professor of Psychology
XXXXXXXXX. Florida International University
Author of:
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Cultivating Communities: Feminist reframing of Networking in Academia
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You are Never Not a Leader: Informal Leadership & Women of Color in Academia
Lunch & Network
A buffet lunch will be provided during the session, offering not only nourishment but also an opportunity to connect in community. Throughout the lunch, participants will engage in intentional networking activities designed to foster meaningful conversations, build authentic relationships, and strengthen connections across roles, disciplines, and institutions. Whether you’re seeking collaboration, mentorship, or simply a sense of belonging, this space is created to encourage dialogue that goes beyond small talk and supports lasting professional and personal connections.
Staying Well, Staying the Course:
Thriving as a Black Woman in Academia Amid Resistance
In today’s climate—marked by increasing political attacks on education, challenges to DEI efforts, and broader societal pushback against equity and inclusion—Black women in academia often carry a disproportionate emotional and professional burden. This workshop is designed to offer practical tools, healing strategies, and affirming space for Black women navigating these intersecting stressors while continuing to pursue excellence, leadership, and personal wellbeing.
Participants will explore how systemic pressures and institutional barriers impact mental health, motivation, and visibility—and how to respond without losing connection to self or purpose. Through reflective discussion and skill-building exercises, the session will provide evidence-based practices to:
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Manage stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue
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Set and maintain personal/professional boundaries
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Cultivate resilience, joy, and inner grounding
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Align daily choices with long-term success and wellbeing
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Build supportive networks in and beyond their institutions
Whether you’re facing the weight of external resistance or the silence of institutional inaction, this workshop affirms that you deserve to thrive—not just survive—in academic spaces.
Presenter: Dr. TBD
XXXXXXXXX. TBD
Author of:
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TBD
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TBD
Spelman College
Spare Room
3:15pm- 4:15pm
Session TBD:
TBD
This session is to be determined
The Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium
Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood applicants are strongly encouraged to consider also attending the Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium, a dynamic public event held the day before the Institute at Spelman College. This free symposium is dedicated to engaging in public psychology, with a focus on presenting research-based insights in ways that are accessible, relevant, and applicable to real-world experiences. Scholars, practitioners, and community members will come together to share knowledge that uplifts, informs, and empowers. It’s an inspiring space to connect theory with practice—and deepen your engagement with core themes of the Institute.
