Psychology of Black Womanhood Spelman Symposium
THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2025 - 9:00am to 5:30pm
The Spelman Psychology Department will also be hosting the
Southeastern Teaching of Psychology Conference (SETOP) February 21 -22, 2025.
Spelman Symposium attendees can use the SETOP hotel discount.
Psychology of Black Womanhood
Research, Teaching & Advocacy
The Psychology of Black Womanhood symposium is bringing together Black women with different expertise to share their knowledge with attendees. This in person event will be interactive, using format that will engage the audience and fostering a rich exchange of ideas.
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The Panelists are listed below in alphabetical order. ​​
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PANEL: Work & Wealth (4:15pm)
Dr. Cherry Collier
Dr. Cherry Collier’s work is rooted in a simple truth: play is powerful. As CEO WhisperHer® and founder of Personality Matters, she helps leaders unlock innovation, resilience, and connection. Her science-based Playtential: The Playground is Open fframework inspires individuals to lead with imagination, transformation, and purpose. Through coaching, speaking, and storytelling, Dr. Cherry empowers others to turn challenges into opportunities. Laugh. Play. Change the Game.
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PANEL: Centering the Margins (9:00am)
Dr. Danielle Dickens
Danielle Dickens, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Spelman College. Dr. Dickens earned her B.A. in psychology from Spelman College, and her M.S. and Ph.D. from Colorado State University in Applied Social and Health Psychology. As a Black feminist social psychologist, her research focuses on identity management among Black women. She is the co-author of the Psychology of Black Womanhood textbook, an Associate Editor of Psychology of Women Quarterly and is the President of Faculty Council at Spelman.​
ACTIVITY: Motherhood (3:00pm)
Dr. Valerie Newsome Garcia
Dr. Valerie Newsome Garcia is Director of Programs and Grants for 4Kira4Moms, a national non-profit working for improved maternal outcomes. and promoting the idea that maternal mortality should be viewed and discussed as a human rights issue. She is a Fellow of Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and has held faculty appointments at NYU School of Medicine, and Morehouse School of Medicine,. Dr. Garcia completed her doctoral training in Biobehavioral Health (Ph.D.) at Penn State University, and Psychology (B.S., M.S.) from Florida A&M University.
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PANEL: Beauty & Body (3:00pm)
Dr. Vanessa Gonlin
Dr. Vanessa Gonlin is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Georgia focusing on colorism, interracial relationships, and racial identity(ies). She has published in journals such as Sociology of Race and Ethnicity and Diversity in Higher Education. An award-winning educator, Dr. Gonlin created the course Colorism and Hairism in Communities of Color, which is the first course of its kind at her university.
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PANEL: Healthy Sexuality (11:00am)
Dr. Candice Hargons
Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons is an award-winning associate professor at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, where she studies sexual wellness and liberation. With over 70 published articles, Dr. Hargons has made substantial contributions to the field, positioning herself as a leading authority in her discipline. Her innovative work has been widely recognized and featured in major podcasts and publications such as the Huffington Post, Essence, Women's Health, Blavity, Cosmopolitan, and the New York Times. Her debut book, Good Sex, will be published by Row House February 2025.
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PANEL: Violence (9:30am)
Dr. Jaray Mazique
Dr. Jaray E. Mazique has worked in higher education for 20 years in various leadership capacities, e.g. Director of Residence Life, Assistant Dean of Students. She currently serves as the Director of Title IX and Compliance at Spelman College. Dr. Mazique served as a conduct officer, Title IX investigator, coordinator for prevention, education, and student conduct resolution. She serves on the board of Family Patterns Matter, facilitates workshops with Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and other non-profit organizations.
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PANEL: Violence (9:30am)
Dr. Mikiba Morehead
Dr. Mikiba W. Morehead is a Senior Consultant with TNG, LLC and educator dedicated to advancing equity within educational environments. Her research focuses on the profound impact of technology-facilitated sexual abuse on college students, college-aged individuals, and marginalized populations. Dr. Morehead is a frequent speaker and contributor in this area, including partnering with the Center for Democracy and Technology on a recent report on technology-facilitated sexual harassment in K-12 schools. Dr. Morehead provides effective and sustainable solutions for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools to care for the needs of campus communities with an eye towards social justice.
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PANEL: Work & Wealth (4:15pm)
Ms. Sherry Sims
Sherry Sims, the founder of Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN), is a renowned career strategist and coach who empowers Black women to excel and thrive professionally. Her expertise has been featured in The New York Times, Essence, and other publications. With over 20 years of experience as a former HR professional, Sherry bridges career advancement gaps by providing coaching, mentorship, resources, and strategies to help Black women navigate challenges, achieve success, and excel in their careers.
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PANEL: Centering the Margins (9:00am)
Dr. Dionne Stephens
Dionne became a faculty member at Florida International University (FIU) after earning her doctorate in Human Development from The University of Georgia- Athens. Her research examines the influence of cultural beliefs and meaning construction on sexual health outcomes. Dionne is the co-author of the Psychology of Black Womanhood textbook.Dionne has won numerous teaching, research and mentoring.
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ACTIVITY: Mindfulness (10:30am)
Dr. Natalie Watson Singleton
Dr. Natalie Watson-Singleton is a licensed clinical psychologist; Associate Professor of psychology at Spelman College; and the Diversity and Inclusion Education Director with the Nia Project at Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is the owner of her own psychotherapy and consulting practice, NWS Wellness and Consulting, LLC. Dr. Watson-Singleton has expertise in African Americans’ health disparities, and she also examines ways to culturally modify mindfulness interventions to increase access across African American communities.
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PANEL: Violence (9:30am)
Dr. Carolyn West
Dr. Carolyn West is an internationally recognized scholar, filmmaker, keynote speaker, expert witness, and Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington. She investigates domestic violence and sexual assault in the lives of African American. Dr. West has authored more than 100 academic publications and the book "Violence in the Lives of Black Women: Battered, Black, and Blue." She has been featured in numerous tv shows and documentaries, including Subjects of Desire, Chris Brown: A History of Violence, and Red Table Talk.
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ACTIVITY: Motherhood (3:00pm)
Krystal Imani Whyms
Entrepreneur, community wellness advocate, non-traditional student at Spelman College studying Psychology and co-founder of Brown Boys Lemonade with her son; Krystal Imani Whyms empowers youth and parents to explore varied generational wealth opportunities. A dedicated caregiver, Cannabis Wellness Professional, and founder of Visions of Imani Habilitation Services, she advocates for marginalized communities through boots-on-the-ground efforts and by sourcing necessary community resources. Krystal’s journey from teen motherhood to full-time college student fuels her mission to support the intersectionality of Black womanhood in America..
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PANEL: Beauty & Body (3:00pm)
Dr. Leyte Winfield
Leyte L. Winfield, Professor of Chemistry at Spelman College, is Division Chair for Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Director of the Cosmetic Science Program. Winner of the 2024 Robert Holland Jr. Award, she co-chairs the Center of Excellence for Women of Color in STEM, promoting gender equity and culturally relevant initiatives to engage minorities and women in STEM, building on Spelman's legacy of excellence.
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PANEL: Healthy Sexuality (11:00am)
Dr. Sinead Younge
Sinead Younge is the David Packard Endowed Chair in Science and Professor of Psychology at Morehouse College. Sinead is trained as an ecological-community psychologist and focuses on health equity. Sinead is currently the director of the Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis in the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership at Morehouse College.
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SETOP CONFERENCE
The Spelman Psychology Department will also be hosting the Southeastern Teaching of Psychology Conference (SETOP) February 21 -22. Consider presenting at both events to extend your shared interests network and combine travel costs.
Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium attendees are welcome to book rooms at the DoubleTree By Hilton Atlanta Windy Hill Ballpark under the SETOP Conference hotel rate. For more information about the SETOP Conference click here.
