Black History Month – Academy at Glengary, Inc.

Black Heroes in Mental Health – Dr. Joycelyn Elders, M.D.

Joanne Campbell — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 20:36:49 +0000

Dr. Joycelyn Elders is the first Black person and only the second woman to hold the position of the Surgeon General of the United States. During her tenure, she advocated for universal health coverage, comprehensive health education, including sex education in schools. Sadly, Dr. Elders was asked to resign over a then-controversial statement regarding sex education in schools, only holding the position of Surgeon General for 15 months. However, this does not take away from her considerable accomplishments.

Dr. Elders was the first person in the state of Arkansas to become a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist. She conducted extensive research on diabetes in youth. She worked tirelessly on issues related to teen pregnancy and congenital abnormalities. Dr. Elders’ accomplishments include her extensive work addressing minority health issues, particularly when she was appointed by then-Governor Bill Clinton as head of the Arkansas Department of Health. Currently, Dr. Elders is a professor emeritus at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Black Heroes – Jacki McKinney, M.S.W.

Joanne Campbell — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:24:23 +0000

Ms. McKinney is a family advocate with a focus on issues affecting African American women and their children. She helped found the National People of Color Consumer/Survivor Network. She herself is a survivor of trauma and addiction, falling prey to homelessness, and being victimized by broken psychiatric and criminal justice systems. She has been a consultant and advisor to the Center for Mental Health Services and tours nationally, speaking to audiences on issues such as seclusion/restraint, intergenerational family support, and minority issues in public mental health.

Ms. McKinney has been awarded the Clifford W. Beers Award, presented to a consumer of mental health and/or substance abuse services who reflects the example set by Beers in his efforts to improve conditions for, and attitudes toward, people with mental illnesses. She is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration’s Voice Awards program which was presented to her for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of trauma survivors.

Black Heroes – Linda James Myers, Ph.D.

Joanne Campbell — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:19:50 +0000

Linda James Myers, Ph.D. is a renowned psychologist, having received her Master of Science in school psychology from Kansas Teachers State Teachers College (Emporia State University), and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ohio State University. Dr. James Myers is best known for her work in the development of a theory called Optimal Psychology, which identifies the specific attitudes and beliefs required to uphold white supremacist views. Her work centers on the intersection of culture, moral and spiritual identity development, and the juxtaposition of race, gender, and class. Her research brings into focus the significance of one’s culture and spirituality in creating a healthy mindset, basing its thesis on the interconnectedness that one has to all living people and things. It identifies a need to explore African and Eastern worldviews that traditional western psychology had overlooked.

Her current research interests comprise the application of that model to a broad range of issues from health and education to business ethics. She is currently a professor in Ohio State University’s Department of African American and African Studies. Over her career spanning more than 30 years, she has written five books, numerous articles and book chapters, and has been cited by countless academic authors. She has earned many awards for excellence in research, and she has conducted trainings throughout the world.