Opening Ceremony and Conference Welcome
Friday, October 2nd
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM EST
Amorie Robinson, Ph.D.
Amorie (pronounced AYE-moe-ree) Robinson (she/her/hers) is a fully licensed clinical psychologist serving as the Associate Director of Outpatient Therapy in Behavioral Health at the Ruth Ellis Center in metro Detroit. Dr. Robinson conducts trainings for mental health and medical providers on cultural responsiveness when serving Black and LGBT+ clients. Her scholarly focus has primarily been towards Black LGBT+ youth resiliencies, most notably Black lesbian youth. Dr. Robinson is a member of and has been a leader in both the Association of Black Psychologists and the Association for Women in Psychology since the 90s.
Vernita Perkins, Ph.D.
Principal and Founder of Transformgi LLC, Dr. Vernita Perkins is a leading voice at the intersection of Land, Labor, and global economic strategy. With keynote appearances on three continents—from The Netherlands to Zimbabwe, and across the United States—Dr. Perkins most recently delivered the Labor Reflection at the APA 2026 Presidential Opening in Washington, DC. Blending rigorous expertise with magnetic storytelling, Dr. Perkins turns complex geopolitical issues into clear, actionable pathways for a sustainable future. Whether advising top executives or inspiring thousands on a global stage, Dr. Perkins delivers evidence‑driven, strategic impact that equips audiences to lead with vision and purpose, empowering leaders to shape a more resilient world.
Marlene G. Williams, Ph.D.
Marlene Williams, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Texas Woman’s University, where she teaches multicultural psychology and psychology of trauma. Her research and scholarly work broadly focus on intersectional identity development of Black women, intergenerational trauma, peripartum mental health, and neuroaffirming therapy. She also owns a private practice, Therapy for Freedom, PLLC, where she provides neuroaffirming and culturally competent therapy for marginalized populations.
Jioni A. Lewis, Ph.D.
Dr. Jioni A. Lewis is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education at the University of Maryland. Dr. Lewis’s primary line of research applies intersectionality theory to investigate the influence of racism and sexism on Black women’s health and wellbeing. She also examines cultural protective factors that buffer individuals against the harmful effects of gendered racism, such as radical healing, collective coping, and resistance strategies. Dr. Lewis is currently a Fellow of APA Divisions 17, 35, and 45. She has received several national awards for her scholarship, teaching, advocacy, and leadership. She is Past-President of the Psychology of Black Women (APA Division 35-Section I), where she served as Lead Coordinator of the Inaugural Psychology of Black Women Conference. She currently serves as an APA Council Representative for the Society of Counseling Psychology.
Candice N. Hargons, Ph.D.
Candice Nicole Hargons, PhD is an award-winning psychologist and associate professor in Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. She leads the Study of Mental And Sexual Health Equity in Relationships (SMASHER Lab), with a predominant focus on promoting good sex, sexual wellness, and liberation among couples and communities. As a leading expert in sex research, Dr. Hargons has been featured in the Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Blavity, Essence, Cosmopolitan, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. She is PI of the NICHD funded ADD SEX FUN Project, which investigates how social determinants of health and cultural strengths influence Black and White women's romantic relationships and sexual functioning. She is also PI of the SAMHSA funded Neighborhood Healers Project, which trains Black community members in Mental Health First Aid to reduce mental health stigma and increase mental health literacy and service utilization.
