Our History

The Association of Black Psychologists was founded in San Francisco in 1968 by a number of Black Psychologists. They united to actively address the serious problems facing Black Psychologists and the larger Black community. Guided by the principle of self determination, these psychologists set about building an institution through which they could address the long neglected needs of Black professionals. Their goal was to have a positive impact upon the mental health of the national Black community by means of planning, programs, services, training, and advocacy. Their objectives were:

• To organize their skills and abilities to influence necessary change, and
  

• To address themselves to significant social problems affecting the Black community
  and other segments of the population whose needs society has not fulfilled.

The Association of Black Psychologists has grown from a handful of concerned professionals into an independent, autonomous organization of over 1400 members.  Kevin Washington (past president) was instrumental in the promotion of including international chapter members in ABPSI.  In Haiti 2016, he promoted the idea to Sonia Mills-Minster who founded ABPSI Toronto with Dr. Natacha Williams, Natacha Penneycooke and Jennifer Clarke.

In 2017, the Association of Black Psychologists provided an avenue for international chapters to establish chapters outside of the United States of America. Toronto was one of three international sites established that year.

Our Mission

The Association of Black Psychologists Toronto sees its mission and destiny as the liberation of the African Mind, empowerment of the African Character, and enlivenment and illumination of the African Spirit.

Purpose of the Association
The Association is organized to operate exclusively for clinical and educational purposes, including but not limited to:

• promoting and advancing the profession of African Psychology

• influencing and affecting social change; and

• developing programs whereby psychologists of African descent (hereafter known as Black Psychologists) can assist in solving problems of Black communities and other ethnic groups.

To accomplish these purposes, the National Board of Directors (hereafter known as "the board") shall exercise the following specific functions:

• establish a central organization of Black Psychologists, social workers, elders and mental health professionals;

• develop funding sources for working capital, staff support, and educational programs;

• seek funding for projects involving Black Psychologists, social workers and mental health professionals, such projects to include, but not be limited to: training programs, mental health programs; and research.

What We've Achieved