{"id":47471,"date":"2024-02-21T16:05:12","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T16:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/?p=47471"},"modified":"2024-08-09T07:40:54","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T11:40:54","slug":"reuniting-black-lgbtq-people-and-african-centered-thought-talk-with-prof-michele-k-lewis-kickstarts-black-history-month-at-carleton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/2024\/reuniting-black-lgbtq-people-and-african-centered-thought-talk-with-prof-michele-k-lewis-kickstarts-black-history-month-at-carleton\/","title":{"rendered":"Reuniting Black LGBTQ+ People and African-Centered Thought: Talk with Prof. Michele K. Lewis kickstarts Black History Month at 杏吧原创"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Reuniting Black LGBTQ+ People and African-Centered Thought: Talk with Prof. Michele K. Lewis kickstarts Black History Month at 杏吧原创\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><em>By: Emily Putnam<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>杏吧原创 University&#8217;s Dunton Tower was abuzz on Feb. 1 as students, faculty, and staff convened to kick off Black History Month 2024. The first campus event of the month was a talk by Dr. Michele K. Lewis, the current 2023-2024 Fulbright Distinguished Chair, hosted by 杏吧原创&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fist\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Feminist Institute of Social Transformation<\/a>. Lewis&#8217; lecture, titled Reuniting Black LGBTQ+ People and African-Centered Thought, captivated the audience with its insight and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Reuniting Black LGBTQ+ People and African-Centered Thought: A Talk with Prof. Michele K. Lewis\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VGHMT-Fh3Mk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Co-organized by the <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/equity\/about-us\/\">Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/iis\/\">Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies<\/a>, Lewis revisited her and her colleagues&#8217; historic *mbongi presented at the 53rd International Association of Black Psychologists Conference in 2022, and her talk was followed by a discussion facilitated by journalist and <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/sjc\/profile\/adrian-harewood\/\">Professor Adrian Harewood<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the event, Lewis underscored the significance of recognizing the cultural and historical presence of Black LGBTQ+ individuals within the African human family and the <a href=\"https:\/\/abpsi.site-ym.com\/\">Associations of Black Psychologists<\/a> (ABPsi). She also elaborated on how she and her colleagues seamlessly incorporated Black wisdom into their roles as clinicians, academics, researchers, and artists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8762-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Dr. Michele K. Lewis. (Photo by Ainslie Coghill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;Black psychology is more of a positive psychology where people try to draw on their strengths. Healing is transformative, and it requires inner work and drawing on wisdom,&#8221; explained Lewis.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I spent a lot of time reading from the wisdom of ancestors, and I love spending time with my elders; I like spending time in nature, and these are all things that can contribute to healing.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples included their work incorporating contemplative practices to decolonize inner life, challenging Eurocentric thought, and disrupting dynamics of oppression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8767-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption> Lewis&#8217; lecture, titled Reuniting Black LGBTQ+ People and African-Centered Thought, captivated the audience with its insight and expertise. (Photo by Ainslie Coghill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lewis stated, &#8220;In the Afrocentric worldview, we believe this knowledge system survives across time and space, but you must still study, and you cannot be afraid to be exposed to things that might seem quite foreign to you. You have to be prepared that if you&#8217;re going to do this type of work, you&#8217;re not going to be considered a mainstream psychologist.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cI love that I have this opportunity to talk about this field and how it differs from mainstream psychology and the things we can continue to do with it if people are willing to step and think outside the box.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As a <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/story\/fulbright-scholars-find-opportunities-community-and-connections-at-carleton\/\">Fulbright scholar<\/a>, Lewis is working on her <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/2023\/10\/fulbright-scholar-michele-lewis-bridging-gaps-in-2slgbtq-black-psychology-research\/\">research project<\/a>,\u00a0<em>Black \u201cLGBTQ+\u201d Psychology: Understanding collective self-determination, Afrocentrism and optimal identity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8897-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Lewis&#8217; talk was followed by a discussion facilitated by journalist and professor Adrian Harewood. (Photo by Ainslie Coghill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/2023\/10\/fulbright-scholar-michele-lewis-bridging-gaps-in-2slgbtq-black-psychology-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project will bring together<\/a>&nbsp;20 participants for virtual emotional emancipation circles \u2013 safe spaces for people of African descent to connect, discuss their experiences and work towards wellness and authentic expression, defying lies about who they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a safe space for you to have a semi-structured experience where you can talk about and unpack some things that have happened that you may never have discussed regarding race and racism,&#8221; said Lewis. &#8220;I want to do the circles with this group not to separate people, but just so that we can have targeted experiences to speak to people&#8217;s various human experiences.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lewis continued, \u201cTo just set up a gay-straight alliance or LGTBQIA+ student centre on campus is often not enough because there\u2019s a different cultural need. We have to help them connect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/AEC_8880-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Fulbright Scholar Michele K. Lewis and Professor Adrian Harewood addressing questions from the audience. (Photo by Ainslie Coghill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lewis, who regards herself as an advocate for rather than a pioneer of the circles, says it\u2019s important to reflect on and acknowledge different aspects of one\u2019s lived experience.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;We have to do more things like this to get the word out that there is another psychology that doesn&#8217;t get the same attention. Often, the students look for other topics because they want to go back to their communities and work with people in their communities.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s strength in numbers, and the more you embrace that communal self-knowledge, the more you can find the key to mental health. The unity and connection help, so the degree to which we can help students learn how to connect is a start.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Members of the 杏吧原创 community are welcome to join Lewis at her next talk for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/search?q=fist+carleton&amp;cvid=3745c302f0854f87bbe22293ff971892&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEEUYQDIHCAcQRRj8VdIBCDEzNDFqMGo5qAIAsAIA&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=U531\">Feminist Institute of Social Transformation<\/a>\u2019s annual <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/event\/flo-bird-lecture-with-dr-michele-lewis-blacklgbtqia-psychology-understanding-collective-self-determination-afrocentrism-and-optimal-identity\/\">Florence Bird Lecture<\/a> on March 5, where she will discuss her Fulbright work as intersecting Black Psychology, Culture Neuroscience, and what has been theorized by Dr. Sekhmet Maat (McAllister) as a Kemetic model of the cosmological interactive self.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>杏吧原创 University&#8217;s Dunton Tower was abuzz on Feb. 1 as staff, students, and faculty convened to kick off Black History Month 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":47494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[429,1,63],"tags":[183,792,240],"class_list":["post-47471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-history-month","category-general","category-psychology","tag-black-history-month","tag-fist","tag-psychology"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47471"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47503,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47471\/revisions\/47503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}