Our Book's Purpose

Mainstream psychology has largely overlooked Black women’s intersectional identities and related experiences in the United States. Given the current social and political climate, understanding the experiences of Black women from a psychological perspective has become a prominent part of research and public narratives.

There is currently no one textbook in the field that provides an understanding of the sociohistorical and psychological experiences of diverse Black women. Many psychology of women books lump together the experiences of Black women in the United States rather than recognizing the differences within the group. While other psychology of women textbooks include an intersectionality lens, many still frame the experiences of all women from a Eurocentric perspective, and minimally discusses the Janie psychological experiences of women of color, including those of Black women.

Psychology of Black Womanhood examines the psychological research exploring Black women's experiences in the United States in a way that is easy to understand, while discussing the intersections of Black women’s identities. Psychology of Black Womanhood benefits readers with unprecedented cultural awareness, inclusive diversity, and critical thinking content. Readers will benefit from the cumulative teaching experiences of the co- authors, who have succeeded as faculty at institutions classified as a historically Black college and university (HBCU), Hispanic serving institution (HSI) and predominantly White institution (PWI) campuses. With the information provided in this book, readers will be able to better assess fact from fiction by applying the research, writing, and communication skills prompted and encouraged throughout the book. Whether they are or are not Black, women, or psychology majors, readers will be well informed, inspired to thrive, feel empowered, and gain desirable analytic skills from reading the Psychology of Black Womanhood book.

Psychology of Black Womanhood is an ideal text for courses such as Psychology of Black Women, Psychology of Women, Black Women’s Experiences, and Psychology of Women of Color, as well as interdisciplinary courses cross-listed with psychology departments. Researchers, employers, clinicians, policy makers and book clubs interested in the psychology of diverse race and gender populations will also find this book to be relevant to their interests. In general, Psychology of Black Womanhood will speak to the psychological study of experiences of women of African descent and their experiences in the context of the United States, which will be informed by culturally relevant conceptual frameworks.

Features:

Jargon-free, accessible, everyday language covering Black women’s diverse experiences and ways of knowing.
Interdisciplinary and intersectional approach appealing to sociology, counseling and social work, Black and ethnic studies, women’s studies, while grounded in psychology
Author team that brings together established scholars from both Historically Black College/ University (HBCU)s and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Glossary of key terms
Suggestions for further reading
Career resources
Instructional tools for a designed course, beyond conceptualization and practicality: sample course syllabi, assignments, lecture notes, and test banks for an in-person, asynchronous online, or synchronous online courses
Companion website for students