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ROOTED IN PSYCHOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING BLACK WOMEN'S HAIR ACROSS PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

Department of Psychology- Bethune Cookman University       Daytona, FL 

For Black women, hair is far more than a matter of personal style. It is deeply connected to identity, cultural expression, psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships, and experiences of discrimination and empowerment. This presentation explores how Black women’s hair experiences intersect with diverse areas of psychology, including developmental, social, clinical, health, organizational, and cultural psychology. Drawing on research and real-world examples, we examine how hair shapes self-perceptions, influences social interactions, reflects institutional power dynamics, and serves as a site of both resistance and affirmation. Ultimately, this presentation highlights how studying Black women’s hair offers important insights into broader psychological processes and the value of centering Black women’s lived experiences in psychological science.

PSYCHOLOGY OF BLACK WOMANHOOD SYMPOSIUM

Spelman College         Atlanta, GA

The Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium is an annual gathering dedicated to bringing research out of academic spaces and into the real world. Hosted at Spelman College, the Symposium brings together scholars, practitioners, community leaders, creatives, students, and the broader public to explore the complexity and diversity of Black women’s lives and experiences. Through engaging panels, workshops, conversations, and community-centered programming, the Symposium connects psychological research with lived experience, clinical practice, cultural expression, and community wisdom. Topics span Black women’s health and wellness, relationships, identity, media and representation, work, beauty, aging, violence, joy, and other issues shaping their everyday lives. At its core, the Symposium creates an accessible space where scholarship and community knowledge inform one another—centering Black women’s voices while fostering learning, meaningful dialogue, connection, and joy.

INSTITUTE FOR PSYCHOLOGY OF BLACK WOMANHOOD SCHOLARS (IPBWS)

Spelman College         Atlanta, GA

The Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood Scholars (IPBWS) is a professional development and community-building initiative designed to support Black women scholars across career stages. Hosted at Spelman College, the Institute brings together doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, early-career faculty, and established scholars whose research, teaching, and practice contribute to a deeper understanding of Black women’s lives and experiences. The Institute provides dedicated space for mentorship, professional development, research exchange, networking, and collaboration. Through interactive workshops, roundtables, career conversations, and opportunities for reflection, participants strengthen their scholarship, develop new connections, share resources, and engage in candid conversations about navigating academic careers as Black women. IPBWS is helping cultivate a national network of Black women scholars who can learn from, support, and collaborate with one another beyond the Institute itself. By creating opportunities for sustained connection and investing in the scholars doing this work, the Institute seeks to expand the visibility, influence, and future of scholarship focused on the Psychology of Black Womanhood.

CONTROLLING IMAGES TO CURATED IDENTITIES: THE  SEXUALIZATION OF BLACK WOMEN ACROSS MEDIAS 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dr. Dionne Stephens will lead an engaging presentation examining the historical and contemporary sexualization of Black women across media. Moving from early controlling images in film and popular culture to today’s social media platforms and self-curated digital identities, participants will explore how representations of Black womanhood have evolved, persisted, and been challenged. Drawing on psychological research, cultural analysis, and contemporary examples, the workshop will consider how media images shape sexual scripts, identity, relationships, and broader understandings of Black women’s sexuality.