Bipolar Disorder. A mental illness that causes people to have episodes of mania and depression. All too often a term thrown around in the Black Community...what’s wrong with Aunt Jackie? Oh you know she bipolar! Meaning that she’s moody, unpredictable, toxic, or chaotic. We are here today for the Sistahs. We are alright. Our mental health is impacted by so many factors- body image, imposter syndrome, physical appearance, etc. Our emotional responses have been labeled long enough, and it’s up to us to In the Spirit of Auntie Maxine...reclaim our time, and tell the world who we are before they even attempt to define us.
Dr. Rheeda Walker Bio:
Dr. Rheeda Walker is an award-winning Professor of psychology, a fellow in the American Psychological Association, and a leading scholar who has published more than 60 scientific papers on African American mental health, suicide risk, and emotional resilience. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist who prepares doctoral students for independent careers.
Dr. Walker's impact has expanded beyond academia and she has quickly become a fan favorite with the release of her first book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health. Delving into the heart of the Black experience, Dr. Walker debunks myths about mental health, builds the case for psychological fortitude, and delivers practical advice for use in everyday life. Her charismatic vision and practical approach to life’s challenges has led to numerous appearances on Good Morning America, The Breakfast Club, and NPR, among others. She is often quoted in major publications like the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, GQ Magazine, and the Houston Chronicle.
Dr. Walker’s eclectic mix of experiences positions her well to bring culturally-meaningful insight and emotional health tools to audiences in the U.S. and around the world.
Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka
Being in love with hair her whole life, Dr. Afiya grew up as her family’s hairstylist, graduating from lawn chairs at cookouts to eventually holding space in her college dorm room for a mini-salon. Her trait of being a skillful active listener translated smoothly to the field of psychology, earning her degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Howard University. At the age of 26, Dr. Afiya earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and was a full time therapist at Columbia University and then she was a professor at the University of the District of Columbia. Dr. Afiya is a natural hairstylist and partners with N Natural Hair Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland where she loves creating art with locs, twists, and afros.
How can you get involved?