What Makes a Distinguished Black Psychologist? An Empirical Analysis of Eminence

Abstract

The present study is a qualitative analysis of the autobiographical narratives and contributions of 34 psychologists who have received the Association of Black Psychologists’ (ABPsi) Distinguished Psychologist Award. The award is one example of how ABPsi engages in activities that sustain its unique Afrocentric collective identity, activities referred to in the social movement literature as “identity work.” Although distinguished Black psychologists do not represent a homogeneous group, all tend to possess strong leadership skills, demonstrate some degree of creative productivity, and display an improvisational style of resilient survival skills. Their careers focus on issues that concretely and materially affect people of African descent. First-person autobiographical accounts of awardees are important documents in the history and ongoing development of Black psychology and serve as valuable teaching and mentoring tools. They provide the basis for identifying future distinguished talent among ABPsi members and for shaping the creative development of undergraduate and graduate students.