Saluting our sisters: BPS roundtable event to mark Black History Month

The event, on 18 October, is free to attend and will include discussions on the unique experience of being a Black woman in psychology and the current climate in the profession for people of colour, as well as the challenges and barriers Black communities still face in psychology and what can be done to overcome these.

It will also pay homage to the trailblazers and those who have encouraged the current generation of Black psychologists.

Deborah Husbands, Chartered Psychologist and Reader in Race and Sociocultural Psychology at the University of Westminster, and Melernie Meheux, Senior Educational Psychologist and co-chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, will co-chair the discussion, which will also be addressed by Dr Jolel Miah, Jenny Eluwa, Dr Amelia Baldwin and Dr Ionnie Henry.

"When I first encountered psychology as a mature Black woman of Caribbean heritage in the early noughties, it felt like I was the spectator of a fascinating but inaccessible world," said Deborah Husbands.

"Psychology seemed to be about theories and abstract concepts, while the lived experiences of racially minoritised people were being overlooked, discounted or erased."

Dr Husbands felt psychology at the time was very 'White', and that perception was confirmed when she attended a BPS event during the early years of her academic career to discover that the only people in the room who looked like her were the catering staff.

"Fast forward to today. The fact that we are boldly saluting our sisters shows how far psychology has come in recognising marginality and celebrating diversity. As one of those sisters, I am proud to co-chair this roundtable discussion with diverse psychologists who will discuss their experiences.

"Our histories have much to say about how far we've come in psychology and how much more we need to do to advance equity in the field and the profession."

Melernie Meheux added that the theme of this year's Black History Month was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the key role that Black female psychologists have had in shaping psychology, driving change and supporting communities. 

"Over the years, Black female psychologists have made significant contributions to the field of psychology that deserve to be recognised and valued."

Dr Meheux said, notably, the BPS had taken steps to ensure that the voices of Black female psychologists, exemplified by figures like Waveney Bushell, the first Black female educational psychologist, became part of historical archives.

"This effort sheds light on stories like Waveney's, which challenge discriminatory practices that labelled Black children in the 1960s/1970s as educationally subnormal, leading to their unjust placement in 'special' settings.

"Sharing these stories also means that the profession can challenge current psychological practices that marginalise minoritised groups. 

"It's really important to me that we recognise the achievements and history of Black people throughout the year, but that we also take the opportunity this Black History Month to salute our sisters and encourage them to continue their journeys in the field of psychology.

"In addition, to inspire the next generation of aspiring Black female psychologists to join the profession, so that they too can make a lasting and meaningful contribution to the profession, like their sisters who have gone before them."

The hour-long event, with an opportunity for questions at the end, welcomes all current psychologists who would like to be an ally, and those who are currently studying to become a psychologist or considering a career within psychology.

To book you place, see the roundtable events page on the BPS website.

For further information please contact [email protected]