A Salute to a Hero and Pioneer: Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark

A Salute to a Hero and Pioneer: Who is the Person That Inspires You?

Written By: Jamel Burroughs, LCSW-R, CEAP

At times, we can become disconnected from life. We can feel anxious, lose hope, and fall into despair, or depression. These are normal behavioral reactions when we lose faith, and are no longer connected to a source, or purpose. One of our many obstacles is to understand our reasons for living. In order to navigate through the journey of life, it is important to find sources of inspiration that will help keep us focused and driven.

Along my journey, I have found truth to the adage, “You need to know your history in order to prepare for your future.” Throughout my studies in the fields of psychology and social work, I was introduced to the works and ideas of a plethora of Caucasian theorists. However, being a culturally conscious African-American man, and a socially aware psychotherapist who has studied the rich ancestral history of my heritage, I knew there had to be contributors from the African Diaspora.  In my independent studies, I stumbled upon an unsung hero and pioneer who helped reshape American history: Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark.

Dr. Clark

Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark (1914-2005) is best known for his psychological study on the impact of segregation on Black children in the 1940s. His work was cited in the landmark Supreme Court Case of Brown vs. Board of Education and was instrumental in the decision to desegregate schools in America.  He is also known to be the First African-American Male:

 1. To earn a doctorate in educational psychology from Columbia University.

2. To serve as the President of the American Psychological Association.

3. To be elected to the Board of Regents in New York State.

Dr. Clark dedicated his career to conducting psychological experiments on the racial biases of children in education.

Dr. Clark conducting the “Doll Test” with a young male child, 1947.

To further his studies, in 1946 he founded the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem, N.Y.  Additionally, Dr. Clark published an abundance of articles and the following books:

1. Prejudice and Your Child (1955)

2. Dark Ghetto (1965)

3. A Possible Reality (1972)

4. Pathos of Power (1975)

Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark you were truly a visionary and pioneer in the fields of both psychology and social work. I pay homage to your accomplishments and thank you for being that scholarly voice for People of Color in America.  You are truly my inspiration.

Who is the person in your life that inspires you?

 

S. M. A. R. T. Goals

S. M. A. R. T. Goals

Each year people make New Year’s Resolutions, and plan to change their lives for the better. On paper, this sounds like a lovely tradition, but the numbers tell the real story. According to a study conducted by Dr. Norcross & his team at the University of  Scranton, Roughly 35%  of people never take any steps toward reaching their goals—quitting before giving themselves a chance to fail or succeed. Only 8% of people actually achieve their goals, leaving 57% to taper off in the months in between.

By any standard, 8% is a low success rate, so how do you become a part of the 8% and increase this percentage?

You must be determined.

The key to achievement is to have a vision, stay focused, and remain on your chosen path with enthusiasm.

Your strongest tool is to set S.M.A.R.T. goals.

Take a moment to deeply consider what your life goal is? (For now, we’ll start with just one.)

Be SPECIFIC – what do you want to achieve?

 Set a MEASURABLE Goal – how long will it take you to reach your goal?

 Can You ATTAIN this Goal? – Do you have the tools you need to reach your goal?

 Choose a RELEVANT Goal! – Why is this goal important for you to achieve?

 How TIMELY is your Goal? – Is it the most opportune time for you to take steps toward achieving this specific goal?

 If you set yourself upon a good foundation, you are setting yourself up for success.

 With SMART goals, you are already better off than 35% of the people who abandoned their resolutions from the beginning. Perhaps this is all of the boost that you need to complete your goals by year’s end. If you find yourself struggling, here are some tips:

• Sometimes, life happens! And when it does, it is perfectly acceptable to re-adjust your goals to your current situation, as long as you continue moving on a forward path toward your original goal.
• If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or stressed out, that would be a perfect time to consult with a therapist. You’ll have the opportunity to sit with a licensed professional who is trained and dedicated to help you work on solving your problems.
• Get a friend, or an APP involved to help you along. You will need constant encouragement and support! There are lots of apps available for all devices that can assist with productivity, learning, health, mindfulness, quitting all types of habits, and whatever else you can think of. Visit the App Store or Google Play and browse the highly rated free apps.

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Will you be a part of the 8%?

Exciting Field Education Experience for a BSW Student!

Exciting Field Education Experience for a BSW Student!

The Burroughs Psychotherapy Practice, a New York State Professional Corporation licensed to administer a full range of clinical and social work services, is seeking an intern who is currently a BSW student in their sophomore or junior year. The intern should be reliable, organized, intelligent, and should possess excellent communication and people skills.

Internship Details:

This is a field work opportunity for an enthusiastic BSW student. The intern will divide their time between traveling in the field and gathering data on local social service institutions/programs, and working as a team in our Bronx office to compile results and interpret data. Our goal is to create a guide for Brooklyn and Bronx residents with up- to-date information and a comprehensive rating system of local, community based social services.

The intern will be provided a travel and lunch stipend.

To find out more about The Burroughs Psychotherapy Practice, visit our website at  www.BurroughsPsy.com.

To apply, please provide a resume and cover letter addressed to Mr. Jamel Burroughs, LCSW-R, to: BurroughsPsy@gmail.com or see your Field Education Advisor.

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