AWARDS & HONORS
2023
Virginia Commonwealth University, Presidential Medallion (2023). Award honors outstanding contributions of members of the university community.
2019
North Carolina A& T State University, College of Health and Human Sciences, Outstanding Alumni Award (2019). Award recognizes outstanding alum from N.C. A&T University.
Richmond Chapter of 100 Black Women, Phenomenal Woman Award in Mental Health (2019). This award recognizes an individual who has made substantial contributions to mental health in the Richmond metro area.
2018
American Psychological Association Committee on Psychology and AIDS (COPA), Psychology and AIDS Leadership Award (2018). This award recognizes distinguished leaders in the field of HIV who have made substantial contributions and have had an extensive, influential career.
VCU, College of Humanities and Sciences, Elske V.P. Smith Distinguished Lecturer Award (2018). This award recognizes an outstanding professor in the College of Humanities and Sciences whose work highlights the efforts of the College within and outside the University.
on, Washington, D.C., 1990.
2017
Community of Change Award for Exemplary Partners in Research, Virginia Commonwealth University Council for Community Engagement (2017). Award recognizes projects involving faculty, students and community members in collaborative, respectful and mutually-beneficial research and scholarship activities.
These projects address community-identified needs and are broadly disseminated to peers and the community. Award recognizes the work of the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention.
2016
American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest (Senior Career Award) (2016). Award recognizes a lifetime of courageous and distinctive contribution(s) in the practice of psychology that significantly supports efforts toward a solution to one of the world's intransigent social problems and; (b) distinctive and innovative contribution(s) that makes practice of psychology more accessible to a broad and diverse population on, D.C., 1990.
2015
American Psychological Association, Division 45, Charles and Shirley Thomas Award, 2015. Award honors significant contributions in student mentoring and development, and significant contributions toward making psychology responsive to the needs of the African American community.
2014
Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME Award), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 2014. Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance VCU’s commitment to diversity.
Riese-Melton Award, Virginia Community University, 2014. Award recognizes outstanding contribution to cross-cultural relations at VCU.
2010
American Psychological Association, Minority Fellowship Program, 2010. James Jones Lifetime
Achievement Award. Lifetime achievement award given for longstanding and distinguished contributions to the field of racial and ethnic minority psychology.
2008
State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, Outstanding Faculty, State of Virginia. Highest honor for faculty at Virginia's public and private colleges and universities. Awards recognize superior accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service, 2008.
American Psychological Association, Division 35, Women Scientists, Featured Scientist, 2008.
Williams, Robert (2008). The history of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists.
2007
Virginia Commonwealth University. Distinguished Teaching Award. Annual award for outstanding teaching faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, 2007.
Addie Jane Key Prevention Award. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2007. Annual award given to person with demonstrated commitment to prevention programming by SAMHSA.
2006
Finalist for the State of Virginia’s Outstanding Teacher Award, State Council of Education in Virginia, 2006.
Distinguished Teacher Award. College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006. Annual award given to faculty in the College of Humanities and Sciences at VCU.
2002
Distinguished Psychologist Award, The Association of Black Psychologists, 2002.
2000
Dalmas A. Taylor Distinguished Contribution Award. American Psychological Association, Minority Fellowship Program, 2000. (1st Recipient)
1994
Distinguished Scholarship Award, Association of Black Psychologists, 1994.
1993
Award for Outstanding Research on Ethnic Minority Issues, American Psychological Association, Minority Fellowship Program, 1993.
Distinguished Service Award, for working with persons with disabilities, Howard University Research and Training Center for Access to Economic Opportunities, 1993.
1980s
Kellogg Fellowship, Leadership Program for Women of Color in Mental Health, 1988–1989.
Minority Fellowship Award, American Psychological Association, 1981–1982.
Student Service Award, George Washington University, Student Association, Washington, D.C., 1980.