Our Vision for the IPBWS

Black women academics in psychology and closely related fields are invited to apply to the Institute for the Psychology of Black Womanhood Scholars (IPBWS), a transformative, daylong, in-person gathering designed to support both your professional advancement and personal well-being. Grounded in the lived experiences of Black women faculty across academia, the Institute centers community, mentorship, and intentional reflection as essential tools for thriving in spaces that may not always fully recognize or affirm your identity. Building on the interdisciplinary scholarship presented in The Psychology of Black Womanhood book, this Institute is held at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, and seeks to create and sustain a national network of Black feminist academic psychologists. Through meaningful connection, skill-building, and collective care, IPBWS is especially designed to support pre-tenure, postdoctoral, and recently tenured scholars as they navigate the academic pipeline, work toward tenure, and build sustainable, impactful careers. Held the day following the annual Psychology of Black Womanhood Symposium, the Institute offers a rare opportunity to deepen scholarly relationships, expand professional toolkits, and join a supportive, empowering community committed to your success—inside and beyond the academy. The IPBWS speakers will guide participants through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and reflective sessions designed to foster both professional growth and personal development. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in roundtable discussions focused on navigating our professional priorities. These facilitated, small- group conversations are designed to create a supportive space for personal reflection, shared experiences, and open dialogue, while also fostering meaningful connections and networking among peers. The IPBWS activities were carefully curated to ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to engage directly with scholars whose work is shaping the future of Black womanhood studies, providing insights that are as academically rigorous as they are practically transformative.