This book is one of a kind! The topics and discussion points presented throughout the seven chapters fills a critical gap that has long existed regarding the relationship between health psychology and people of African descent. As indicated by Marilyn D. Lovett, much of what is written about Black people and health is focused on disparities, deficits, and comparisons. However, this book focuses on culture, history, language, consciousness, and empowerment as important aspects of everyday life that can be used to facilitate wellness and wholeness in Black communities globally. This is a must-read for all psychology educators in higher education. I am excited to use this book in my Health Psychology course!
— Naomi M. Hall-Byers, Winston-Salem State University
Dr. Lovett has done an outstanding job synthesizing the literature regarding African/Black psychology and health psychology. This work addresses African populations throughout the diaspora to improve vital healthy lifestyles. We should commend this work as it contributes to the collective solution as it relates to cultural factors and facilitates positive and healthy outcomes utilizing a wholistic cultural strength perspective. This sister warrior is thoroughly immersed in her research endeavors to seek scientific truth and articulating the plethora of systemic and cultural factors used by researchers to hinder African populations from accessing the healthcare system. She provides a critical analysis of cultural strengths such as the role of Africanity, spirituality, and cultural mores in closing the gap to promote healthy outcomes for African populations. Lovett has offered cultural interventions and proactive solutions to addressing the wholistic behavioral health options by capitalizing on cultural strengths of African populations to ensure vital healthy outcomes. This is a must-read for anyone seeking holistic solutions.
— Reginald Rackley, Southern University
This is a culture-specific health and wellness guide for all ages! It provides a blueprint for every stage of life and uniquely promotes a health equity roadmap for success—one which will take us well into the twenty-first century, if only we heed the principles that have sustained us. This global perspective is not to be missed, since it presents a true picture of where we were and where we are, leaving what that means for us up to us. Like the Sankofa symbol, it looks back in witness to the past and does more than just help us survive individually. This referenced work is one of the few wholistic guides that prepares us for the future.
— Harriette Richard, Johnson C. Smith University