Introduction: Building for Eternity

Abstract

This article provides an introduction to the special issue in the Journal of Black Psychology, commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi). A highlight is provided of the five articles that makeup this issue. Jamison takes a developmental approach in examining keys concepts, theories, and issues that have been or need to be addressed in African/Black psychology. In contrast, Cokley and Garba examine how Black psychology has had an impact on the field of psychology. Grills, Nobles, and Hill scrutinize the models and strategies of Black psychology, African psychology, African-centered, and Pan-African psychology that have been developed through ABPsi. Myers, Anderson, Lodge, Speight, and Queener present optimal conceptual theory, an alternative cultural paradigm based in the African worldview, and discuss its application therapeutically and pragmatically as a solution to global human challenges. Finally, as emerging scholars, Woodyard and Gadson provide a critical reflection of the impact on ABPsi on their personal and professional development.

Special Issue on Black Youth Suicide and Beyond

“…However, Mushunje and Graves underscore the limited number of articles on suicide prevention and interventions as well as the necessity to have non-comparative race-specific research on Black youth. An intracultural approach to Black youth suicide aligns with the concerns expressed by Jackson-Lowman et al (2023)…”

“…In the first article, Jackson-Lowman et al (2023) offer a conceptual paradigm to examine the rate of suicide among Black youth. They contend that “suicidology is trapped in a pathological paradigm based on the imposition of European cultural hegemony” (p. 271).…”