Black Boy Joy

Black Boy Joy 

The goal of Beloved Blackness’ Black Boy Joy is to solidify, uplift, and affirm High School-aged Black boys in their cultural identity in both psychoeducational and recreational ways. Research supports that Black students are able to handle the stressors of life as well as demonstrate stronger academic performance when their sense of themselves is rooted in a strong cultural identity. Black boys often have opportunities to be guided and mentored by Black men through sports and/or community organizations, like Black fraternities. However, these opportunities do not often intentionally affirm or solidify Black boys’ cultural identity. Black boys need a space to share their experiences navigating a world that perceives them through the lens of fear and threat while not allowing those experiences to dampen the joy of what it means to be a Black boy who is coming into manhood. Within a society which views Black children, including boys, as being much older than their actual ages, Black Boy Joy will allow developmentally appropriate space for their boyish, playful nature outside of an overtly competitive setting. African cultural tradition emphasizes the role and responsibilities of all members of the community, including the children. It is the responsibility of the adults and elders to create a space of grounding boys in their identities and roles in order to help them own their voice in the service of the community. 

Black Boy Joy will meet monthly with Dr. Brinell Anderson, a California-licensed clinical psychologist, with years of experience working with adolescents within college mental health with particular expertise in addressing cultural issues for Black/African-descended persons (see bio below). She also has experience raising a Black son and has learned ways to help him navigate predominantly white spaces without relinquishing his cultural identity. Dr. Anderson is affectionately known as “Dr. B” and she has a reputation for also being someone who enjoys living her life in fun and creative ways. Her zest for life will serve as the relational “engine” of every session. Black Boy Joy will aid Black boys in harnessing the resilience that their ancestors demonstrated while addressing the psychological, relational, and spiritual costs of the collective trauma faced by their ancestors. Black Boy Joy will also include co-ed mixers that allow for teenage creativity, enjoyment, and social connection. In order to create emotional safety to address the impact and influence of historical harms on cultural identity development, participants in Black Boy Joy need identify exclusively as Black or African-American. If there is significant interest from families with one parent who identifies as Black or of African-descent, a separate group for boys of bicultural identities can be formed.

Each monthly group session will provide psycho-educational information within a supportive group setting within which Dr. Anderson will incorporate experiential practices where the participants will gain deeper self-awareness as well as improve interpersonal presence toward other Black boys. Although the groups are not psychotherapy groups, it will be important in each session to discuss group rules, like confidentiality and privacy, in order to foster trust and safety with one another. Additionally, the Black Boy Joy sessions will also provide safe and welcoming space for boys who identify as queer. The intersection of culture, race, gender, and sexual orientation will be explored as these dimensions of identity are related to the topic areas.

Each monthly session will take place on Sundays from 1-3pm, tentatively scheduled to be held at Dr. Anderson’s private practice office in Pasadena, CA. The planned co-ed community activities throughout the year will be held at local residences and/or local public spaces. Participation commitment is expected for the entire year (ten months) with the following payment options to be paid at the beginning of the quarter:

September-November: $395; December-February: $395; March-June: $450 or Full year: $1,100 Financial assistance and/or sibling discounts are available based on need.

2019-2020 Black Boy Joy Monthly Topics

September Session: Understanding the need for Black spaces to sustain Black Boy Joy (Learning Group Process and Active Listening)

October Session: Appreciating the Layers of Culture

November Session: Understanding the Manifestations of Trauma, including Racial Trauma

November Community Activity: Nakumbuka Day Ceremony at Pasadena City College (11/16)

December Session: Romantic Relationship Dynamics

December Activity: Co-Ed Game Night

January Session: Navigating PWI (predominantly white institutions) and Academic Spaces

February Session: Embracing Our African Cultural Heritage, Traditions, and History

February Community Activity: Co-ed Black History Month Park Outing

March Session: Valuing Health and Wholeness

April Session: Culturally-congruent Ways of Managing and Regulating Emotions

May Session: Collective Identity, Faith, and Service

May Community Activity: Co-ed Dance

June Service Project TBD

June Session: End of Year Closing Ceremony with FamilyI’m an event description. Click here to open up the Event Editor and change my text. Simply click me, Manage Event and start editing your event. I’m a great place for you to say a little more about your upcoming event.