From the President’s Desk: December 2023

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.  I’m honored to serve as president of our growing association. This month with the support of our insightful members, incredible staff, and outstanding Board of Representatives and Council of Representatives, I have been able to advance the work of APA’s strategic plan by completing the following:

• Launched APA’s first collaboration with Warner Brothers through a healing guide inspired by The Color Purple. The film debuted on December 25th with the second highest viewers in cinema history. The guide was written by APA members from several divisions;
• Hosted APA’s first PAC poetry holiday celebration where virtual attendees shared a range of beautiful poems on the human experience;
• Issued a statement about the escalating violence in Gaza, its potential psychological consequences, and the role of psychologists in addressing the causes and recovery needs based on our science;
• Served as a guest speaker for the Beloved Community virtual conference on my presidential focus areas trauma, grief, and oppression;
• Served as an invited expert presenter on trauma recovery for the Conference of National Black Churches, along with speakers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Chaired APA Council Town Hall on the CLT Effectiveness update and conversation with our CEO Dr. Arthur Evans, Jr.;
• Participated in APA’s December Virtual Advocacy Days, attending day-long training followed by a day of meeting with my California representatives to advocate for mental health care and research funding;
• Facilitated APA Board of Directors meetings where the agendas covered included the Council Policy Manual, Interdivisional Grant Program, CLT/Board Recommendations to Council, advocacy, the American Psychologist, elections, membership dues, new business items (NBI’s) coming before Council, Meritorious Award, Convention, indigenous psychology considerations for leadership, APA budget, APASI budget, strategic planning, Racial Equity Action Plan, partnerships with outside organizations, Meet and Greet with incoming board members, AI trends, misinformation and disinformation, envisioning the future, tributes to outgoing board members and appreciation for all board members and key staff;
• Facilitated Board of Directors Executive Committee meeting on the Middle East and the APA budget;
• Met regularly with Dr. Arthur Evans, Jr., APA CEO, Dr. David Susman, CLT chair, and key staff members;
• Continued individual meetings with board members to facilitate dialogue and liaison feedback;
• Provided support for and/or promoted my Presidential initiatives, which are:
  • Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence (completed)
  • Representation Matters Documentary
  • Free Public Summit on Culturally Informed Trauma Recovery held in October at Howard University,
  • Culturally Informed Trauma Recovery Kits (completed)
  • Enhancing belonging and engagement at APA, which presented findings at APA 2023 (research survey of members completed and presented at convention)
  • Decolonizing and Liberation Psychology which is editing a Special Issue for the American Psychologist and has provided trainings for the APA Board, Boards and Committees, and Council of Representatives in alignment with APA’s EDI Action Plan (call for submissions received over 100 submissions; Task force presented at APA 2023).

Thank you for your support and efforts in service of society and the field of psychology. Serving in the association and getting to know many of you has been a beautiful blessing. I give my full support to Dr. Cynthia de las Fuentes, APA’s 2024 president, who brings immense knowledge and dedication to our growing table. We thrive together!