Chapter 14: The Association of Black Psychologists-South Florida Chapter and COVID-ID

Studies have shown that the intergenerational transmission of resources is a significant factor explaining wealth differences across racial and ethnic groups (Chiteji & Hamilton, 2002). These wealth disparities contribute to physical and mental health disparities for African Americans. The Association of Black Psychologists was formed in 1968 to nurture African Americans’ mental health needs by training young scholars of African descent to facilitate healing in the African American community.

African American psychologists and healers are needed more than ever. COVID-ID (COVID-Identification), as we call it, “identified” and shed light on the fact that African Americans have been diagnosed and died from the virus at disproportionately higher rates in the United States. Systemic racism has left most African Americans overly stressed and anxious about the virus in addition to the daily problems of violence in the home and community, food insecurity, social justice, and housing concerns. African Americans working on the front lines in grocery stores, hospitals, or food packaging plants are considered essential but are treated as disposable.