DeKALB – The Association of Black Psychologists, a student-led organization run through the NIU department of Psychology, allows members to meet once a week to talk about current topics and events happening around the world involving the Black community. 

ABPSI, who meet from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the Holmes Student Center, allow members to share their own perspective on racial issues and relate them back to the university or anywhere in the world.

The group consists of primarily Black members, but the president, senior psychology major Verae Fields, said anyone is welcome to participate regardless of race or major.

“People of face, shape, color come as you are – in this club all is welcome,” Fields said. 

During each meeting the executive board creates an atmosphere where all members are able to speak freely. Their meetings consist of introductions of members, highlighting a Black individual each week and discussing third eye topics. 

The Black person of the week segment is meant to highlight Black Excellence in America.

Quade Evans, a junior English major is the vice president of ABPSI. 

“Our association is dedicated to increasing consciousness in the Black Student Population,” Evans said.

During the meeting of Jan. 26, the Black person of the week was Shania Muhammad, the youngest teacher in the U.S.. Along with that accomplishment, she was also the youngest African American college student to attend the University of Oklahoma at the age of 13. To learn about Muhammad ABPSI watched one of her recent interviews on the Jennifer Hudson Show. 

Taking up the bulk of meeting times are third eye topics. A third eye topic consists of a subject that is relevant in the Black community that provokes deep conversation. 

Last meeting’s third eye topic was “Addressing Homophobia in the Black Community.” To incite conversation, Vice President Evans comes up with questions that fall under the topic. For this specific topic, association members had an hour long debate about different topics relating to homophobia including but not limited to religion, home life, homosexuality and the American dream.

ABPSI holds an orientation for all prospective members allowing them to learn about the association and all it entails. 

Near the end of the year, ABPSI also holds a cookout, which does not have a set date yet, but will be held around late April-early May. Sometime during March the organization will also hold an ABPSI week which will include fundraising, informational meetings and more.

Many of the members of ABPSI are not psychology majors, including their entire executive board except for Verae.

Anyone is welcome in ABPSI, more information can be found at their instagram @abpsi.niu.