In this article, we discuss challenges to and the triumphs of the production of psychological knowledge pertinent to human health and sustainable well-being, particularly as it relates to persons acknowledging African ancestry in hostile sociohistorical contexts. Primary attention will be paid to the advancement of the theory of optimal psychology, also known as optimal conceptual theory (OCT), a theory of human development culturally grounded in the wisdom tradition of African deep thought, identifiable from ancient civilization to contemporary times. The intention is to accomplish four aims: (a) present an overview based on one theoretical framework and practice of progress achieved in fulfillment of the Association of Black Psychologists mission, (b) provide an example of great successes employing OCT and belief systems analysis in a clinical practice for over 20 years, (c) share a small sampling of areas in the psychological and broader literature illustrating how OCT has been utilized, and (d) highlight areas of advancement in OCT and its expansion in the understanding of human functioning and development.

This article provides an overview of developments in the field of Black/Africana/Pan African psychology over the past 50 years. It has evolved toward production of psychological knowledge grounded in an emic cultural paradigm consistent with the understandings emerging from classical African civilization and across the Diaspora. The historical context for the development of a Black/Africana cultural paradigm is discussed, including an analysis of the failure of Eurowestern psychology to effectively address the mental health needs of people of African ancestry, particularly as exemplified in the experience of Non-immigrant Africans in the Americas (NIAAs). Readers are introduced to the rise of African-centered cultural frames of reference, values, and psychological models, practices, and strategies. The development of Optimal Psychology or Optimal Conceptual Theory (OCT) is highlighted. OCT is a comprehensive theory successfully implemented, utilized, and researched for more than 40 years. The production of psychological knowledge built upon a cultural paradigm rooted in the wisdom tradition of African deep thought traceable to the birthplace of all humankind is essential to a comprehensive understanding of humanity and will be described.

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In 2020, The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) drew attention to how the history of racism in the U.S. had created and exacerbated extant medical racial inequities to the detriment of Black people. In recognition that solutions based solely in Western frameworks cannot fully address the mental health needs of Black people, ABPsi began devoting collaborative efforts to develop culturally-grounded healing responses for the unique experiences of race-based invisibility and trauma. Amid the pandemic, people of African-descent also experienced a number of other mass racial traumas, including a wave of widely publicized police violence. Beginning with COVID-19, these intersecting pandemics of racism elucidated the need for healing, particularly culturally-grounding healing. In consultation with the Black Family Summit, ABPsi developed a pilot investigation, the Sawubona Healing Circle (SHC) initiative, which are culturally-grounding healing circles to support Black first-responders. Using an African-centered worldview, the circles recognize and validate the specific constellation of anti- Black traumas and stressors, and equip them with African-centered healing methods. This paper outlines the theory, development, implementation, and initial evaluation of the SHC intervention.