Journal of Black Psychology

This study examined Black parents’ reports of daily racism experiences on racial socialization competency (i.e., confidence in discussing race and racism) among Black mothers (N = 385, M _age = 36.99, 55% mothers) and fathers (N = 296, M _age = 37.66). The moderating role of racial trauma was also investigated. The results indicated that Black mothers who faced daily racism exhibited increased confidence in discussing race and racism with their children, while Black fathers who encountered daily racism and racial trauma also felt more confident. However, Black fathers who experienced low levels of both racism and racial trauma felt less confident. As the frequency of daily racist encounters increased, Black fathers experienced an increase in confidence in addressing racial topics with their children. These findings underscore the influence of racism and racial trauma on Black mothers’ and Black fathers’ attitudes towards discussing racism.

Race-related stress contributes to emotion regulation difficulties and influences stress-related coping practices among Black women. Attentional control, a factor related to emotion regulation and coping, may shape this process; however, little research has explored its role. The present study examined whether attentional control may moderate the association between race-related stress and dimensions of emotion regulation. Participants were 84 Black women (M _age = 43.91, SD _age = 12.6) who completed self-report measures as part of a large study on risk and resilience among trauma-exposed populations. Attentional control, race-related stress, and emotion regulation difficulties were assessed using validated measures. Results revealed that attentional control moderated the association between race-related stress and emotion regulation difficulties, even after controlling for trauma exposure, age, and socioeconomic status. These findings highlight attentional control as a potential resilience factor that may mitigate the negative influence of race-related stress on emotion regulation difficulties in Black women.

While scholars have addressed the challenges Black women face in various workplace environments, less is known about the psychological and social experiences of Black women leaders in the nonprofit sector. In the present qualitative study, we draw from plantation politics and intersectional leadership frameworks to explore the perspectives of Black women Executive Directors. Specifically, we examine how they navigate structural and interpersonal challenges while building and growing nonprofit organizations that serve Black girls. Furthermore, we consider the extent to which the racialized logics of plantation politics inform their well-being and social justice missions as organizational leaders. Using consensual qualitative research methods, we analyzed semi-structured interviews from 16 Black women Executive Directors of 501(c)3 nonprofits across America (33–62 years old, M = 44.6, SD = 9.7 years). We identified the following themes: (1) unsupportive and hostile nonprofit landscape, (2) subpar access to opportunities and organizational infrastructure, and (3) attrition and burnout. Our findings demonstrate a connection between structural racism—manifested as plantation politics—and the chronic underinvestment in Black women’s leadership, which ultimately undermines their well-being.

Black women are at unique risk of being victimized directly and vicariously by police brutality. Yet, prominent narratives surrounding anti-Black police brutality center the systematic criminalization of Black men or engage the matter from a gender-neutral perspective. To focus greater attention on the harm and violence inflicted on Black women by police brutality, this study engaged semi-structured focus group interviews with 18 Black emerging adult women to explore their experiences of police use of excessive force. The findings revealed four primary themes and several subthemes. Primary themes elucidate mechanisms of harm, experiences of emotional captivity within a police state, historical continuities: policing as a modern plantation system, and the reclamation of power through critical consciousness. Implications for policing systems, mental healthcare, and community-based healing are discussed.