ABOUT ME
Download Curriculum Vitae
Faye Zollicoffer Belgrave, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University and founding CEO of Ujima, Inc. Throughout her career, she has promoted health equity among African Americans and other underserved populations through programs conducted in collaboration with community-based organizations.
An international expert on African and African American Psychology, Belgrave is the co-author of the first textbook on African American psychology, now in it’s fifth edition.
Her books, papers, and talks challenge the dominate narrative of at-risk African Americans by focusing on resiliency fostered by African-centered values. Belgrave’s work considers how historical and contemporary influences have shaped the culture and lived experiences of African Americans in the United States.
Dr. Belgrave has been awarded several federal grants including funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, National Institutes of Health, and the office of Women’s Health, among others. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her research, teaching, and service including a Lifetime Achievement award from the American Psychological Association, the Association of Black Psychologists Distinguished Faculty Award, an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, an outstanding alum award from N.C. A&T State University, among many others (see Curriculum Vita). Engagement with local community organizations is central to her work and Dr. Belgrave has given many talks and presentations to community audiences, and served on the board of directors for several community organizations including Virginia League of Planned Parenthood, Richmond Midnight Basketball League, and currently Building the Fire Within (BTFW). Dr. Belgrave received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, her M.S. degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and her B.S. from North Carolina A&T State University.
She is the mother of two adult children, Angela and Alexander, and enjoys traveling to and being immersed in the culture of other countries, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.