Friday Forum Encore: Radical Healing Black Women Sexual Assault Survivors

This program will be held virtually via Zoom. Details with instructions on how to view the webinar will be sent to all registrants the day before the program (2/10).

Program: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department.

A presentation will follow the event honoring Dr Deirdre Golden, Ph.D., LP, with the John M. Taborn Award for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology by a Person of African Descent.  You do not have to be registered for the First Friday Forum to attend the awards program.  To RSVP, please email: [email protected]

About the Program:
This session will present the historical context of sexual violence against Black women, current prevalence and experiences, review common psychotherapeutic and advocacy approaches to working with sexual assault survivors, and considerations when working with Black women. This presentation will include a panel discussion with Kenosha Davenport, Executive Director of the Sexual Violence Center, and Artika Roller, Executive Director of Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

This program qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. Attendees must attend entire session to gain credit. The speakers have no conflicts of interest to report.
 
Participants will be able to:

1. Describe the historical context for and prevalence of Black women's sexual assault.
2. Apply evidence based interventions for sexual assault survivors to Black women.
3. Identify advocacy considerations for Black women sexual assault survivors.

About the Presenters:

Bryana H. French, Ph.D., LP, is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. French received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Illinois. Her research, teaching, and practice focuses on racial and sexual trauma and recovery, specifically among Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Her first authored article, “Toward a psychological framework for radical healing in Communities of Color” is ranked in the top 5% on Altmetrics publication data. Her research on men’s sexual victimization has been featured in several news outlets including Time, US News, and Huffington Post. Dr. French’s work has been recognized with awards throughout her career, including the American Psychological Association, the National Multicultural Conference and Summit, the Minnesota Psychological Association, and the Association of Black Psychologists. 

Kenosha Davenport, M.P.A., received her MPA from Marylhurst University and is a Non-Profit Executive Director with over thirteen years of experience effectively leading change and organizational growth through strategic planning and the ability to think outside the box using new and innovative ideas as well as proven strategies. A dynamic individual with a verifiable track record of maximizing revenue by ensuring program run within budget, identifying new sources of revenue and building community partnerships.

Artika Roller, M.S.W., received her MSW from the University of Minnesota. As the Executive Director of MNCASA, Artika Roller brings twenty years of direct service experience serving women and children in the fields of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and sexual violence. She holds a BSW from Metropolitan State University and a CPMSW from the University of Minnesota. In addition, she is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute, from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Schools of Business and Social Work.

Valene A. Whittaker, Ph.D., is a Licensed Psychologist and Health Service Provider in the in the Women’s Health Clinic at the Washington DC, VA. Prior to this role, she was the Military Sexual Trauma Services Coordinator at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center in Bedford, MA. Dr. Whittaker completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and a Graduate Minor in African American Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, her predoctoral internship at the University of California Berkeley CAPS, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the ENRM VAMC. Her clinical and research interests include the psychological well-being of people of color, and particularly women of color; racial identity and race-related stress and trauma; multiculturally responsive training and supervision; and trauma recovery and resilience within Veteran, Active Duty, and Military communities. Dr. Whittaker is the APA Division 17 VP for Communication, she’s served as Chair and Practice Representative to the APA Membership Board (2020); Boston Metro Region Representative to the Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) Board of Directors; and co-chair for the MPA Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA).

Dr. Robyn L. Gobin, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in interpersonal trauma and evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.  She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Oregon. She directs the Transforming Trauma and Mental Health Research Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois, where she is an Associate Professor. Dr. Gobin’s research investigates how individual, cultural, and societal factors lead to unique outcomes in the aftermath of interpersonal trauma. Her work has been widely recognized: she was the recipient of a Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association (APA), the Carolyn Payton Early Career Award from the Society for the Psychology of Black Women (APA Division 35 Section 1), and the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected].  

Click here to view and download a PDF program flyer and registration form.