Linda James Myers, PhD, is a well versed African-American psychologist, having received her masters of science in school psychology from Kansas Teachers State Teachers College (Emporia State University), and her PhD in clinical psychology from Ohio State university. She is known for her critique of traditional western psychological frameworks and her research on African centered psychology. She is currently a professor in Ohio State University’s Department of African American and African Studies. She is known around the world for her theory of optimal psychology, which she has held lectures on in Jamaica, Ghana and Britain. She is a former president of the Association of Black Psychologists.
Optimal psychology was inspired by James Myers' questions regarding the mindsets needed to uphold white supremacist views, and a need to explore African and Eastern worldviews that traditional western psychology had overlooked. Optimal psychology focuses on the interconnectedness that one has to all living people and things, and the important role that one’s culture and spiritual nature can have in creating healthy mindsets. The book "Understanding of Afrocentric World View: Introduction to an Optimal Psychology" is her most notable work. She also coedited Re-Centering Culture and Knowledge in Conflict Resolution Practice.
Over her career spanning more than 30 years, James Myers has acquired many awards including: the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Association of Black Psychologists, the Bethune/Woodson Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Development of Promotion of Black Studies from the National Council of Black Studies, Oni Award by the International Black Women’s Congress, and the Building to Eternity Award from the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization.