APA Division 35 Section I
October 2nd - October 3rd, 2026
Virtual Conference
The Second Psychology of Black Women Conference
Reclaiming Our Power and Purpose
The purpose of the Second Annual Psychology of Black Women Conference is to elevate the Psychology of Black Women as a distinct specialty in the field of psychology and highlight the importance of Black feminist, womanist, and intersectional approaches to research, teaching, training, practice, and advocacy in the field of psychology.
Join Dr. Wendi Williams, APA President-Elect for our opening keynote talk entitled: Black Women’s Liberatory Leadership Praxis: A Blueprint for Reclaiming our Power and Actualizing our Purpose
Opening Keynote Speaker
Conference Schedule
FRIDAY: October 2, 2026
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM: Opening Ceremony and Conference Welcome
Drs. Amorie Robinson, Vernita Perkins, Marlene Williams (Currrent Section 1 President), Jioni A. Lewis (Past Section 1 President), & Candice N. Hargons
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Keynote Talk: Black Women’s Liberatory Leadership Praxis: A Blueprint for Reclaiming our Power and Actualizing our Purpose
Dr. Wendi Williams, 2026 American Psychological Association President
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM: Plenary 1: Honoring the Past: Psychology of Black Women Foremothers
Drs. Martha Banks, Vickie Mays, Pamela Trotman Reid, and Veronica Thomas
Hosted by: Dr. Olivia Morehead-Slaughter
1:30 - 2:30 PM: Symposium 1: Teaching the Psychology of Black Womanhood
Drs. Danielle Dickens, Dionne Stephens, Carolyn West
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM: Symposium 2: The Crisis of Black Women and Intimate Partner Violence
Drs. Tameka Gillum & Jennifer Gomez
4:00 - 5:00 PM: Symposium 3: Black Girlhood Symposium
Drs. Seanna Leath, Lauren Mims, & Ijeoma Opara
5:30 - 6:30 PM: Sister Circles
Graduate & Undergraduate Student Hangout
Early Career Psychologist Hangout
Mid-Career Hangout
Seasoned Hangout
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Morning Meditation
Dr. Shelly Harrell, Founder of Sankofa Healing Institute
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Plenary 2: Envisioning the Future of the Psychology of Black Women
Drs. Batsirai Bvunzawabaya, Collette Chapman-Hilliard, & Jioni A. Lewis
Hosted by: Dr. Shun Huddleston
11:45 AM-12:45 PM: Graduate Student Research Poster Session
1:15 PM-2:15 PM: Symposium 4: Counseling Black Women in Challenging Times
Drs. Ebony Butler, Stephanie Hargrove, & Kimber Shelton
2:30 PM-3:30 PM: Symposium 5: Black Women and Colorism
Drs. Antoinette Landor, Caitlin Mercier, & Gina Sissoko
3:45 PM-4:00 PM: Awards Ceremony
4:00-5:00 PM: Closing Fireside Chat w/ Dr. Raquel Martin
5:00-5:15 PM: Closing Remarks
SATURDAY: October 3, 2026
(all Eastern Times)