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Articles

Vol. 33 (2013)

Exploring the Mentoring Relationship among African American Women in Psychology

  • Karia Kelch-Oliver
  • Chaundrissa Oyeshiku Smith
  • Josie S. Welkom
  • Natasha D. Gardner
  • Marietta H. Collins
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21423/awlj-v33.a98
Submitted
June 16, 2017
Published
2017-06-12

Abstract

Historically, there has been a scarcity of available mentors for African American women in psychology. The diminished presence of African American female psychologists in higher education limits the availability of same-race mentors for African American students, which decreases opportunities for African American students to pursue and succeed in this field, which in turn reduces the number of African Americans pursuing teaching, research, and clinical careers within psychology. We assert that same-race/same-gender mentorship is imperative in increasing the recruitment, retention, and training of African American women in psychology. In this literature review, we seek to address the unique issues related to the mentoring experience among African American women in psychology across three different stages of professional development (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, and faculty). Finally, we provide recommendations for mentors, mentees, and academic organizations in order to foster the growth and presence of African American women psychologists.