The Godfather of Black Psychology

No. I'm not talking about James Brown. I'm talking about the late, great Dr. Jospeh White. He was more than just a Black psychologist. He was a mentor, coach, teacher, and friend to many African American psychologists and therapists. Including me. Dr. White was renowned for his teaching at the University of California, Irvine, California State University, Long Beach, and San Francisco State University. But his pioneering efforts led him to create Educational Opportunity Programs in California and the national Association of Black Psychologists (affectionately referred to as ABPsi). Talk about a godfather! His workshops at conferences and conventions were legendary. Sure there were other speakers who had long credentials and stacks of research papers. But people got to shouting and cheering when he would appear. I remember meeting him at one conference and begging him to come out and speak to my campus California State University, Dominguez Hills. In his unique voice he'd say, "We'll Michael, you set it up and I'll be there." I'd run into him each year after with the same plea and he'd respond the same way. Finally, I begged, borrowered and stole to fund a "Day of Dr. Joe White" at our campus with the President, Black Faculty & Staff, Pan African Union, and members of my Black Men's Group (one ofthe first therapy groups on a college campus for Black men) eagerly awaiting his arrival. I was so proud. Dressed up in one of my best church suits, I prepared for the day only to get word from home that my Dad died at that moment. I stood frozen, not knowing what to do. Joe told me to go home and be with my family. Since that day, Joe had been a father figure to me, regularly checking up on me, encouraging me to continue helping African American students get through school and sharing his one-of-a-kind laugh to my corny jokes. I guess I did have (what they call) a father transerence for Joe. He was a leader and example of the kind of person I wanted to be. Up to the time of his death in 2017 I wrote him regularly to let him know I was "keeping up the good fight" (his words). But, as people do with people that they have loved and have passed on, I always keep him in my thoughts. I sometimes wonder what he would think about my still being able to keep up with my Black Men's Support Group and my efforts to now do a website and podcast called Black Couples Lives Matter. Then I'd remember, I know he'd be proud of me because he always said he was proud of me when we talked. Wow. I was able to live a life to hear that come from both my father, Martin T. Laurent, and Dr. Joe White (my "godfather"). Both are gone. But I still need encouragement. When faced with the growing disparities in African Americans receiving mental health services and other groups, and the shockingly small number of African Americans becoming psychologists (ESPECIALLY BLACK MEN!) I want to cry. I always had a look out for more Black men to go into the mental health profession. My claim is that we can not significantly change the psycho-emotional challenges among Black men until we get more Black men into this profession. Sorry. That's how I feel. I've mentored alot of students, but I guess I still need to do more. We need to do more. Here's where I need others to help me. Even though I am retired, I can't "give up the good fight." Helping Black men is helping Black couples. Maybe if I continue to reach out through social media and speak at more churches, colleges, community programs, etc. people will hear this and join these efforts. Dr. White did it. I know I can't stop doing it. But who out there will join us?