Dr. Patricia “Karabo” Nunley

Chapter President

Dr. Patricia “Karabo” Nunley is a tenured professor with almost 25 years of experience teaching children and adults.  In addition to teaching human development, trauma, and violence courses, she provides consulting services.  She identifies as a Traditional Afrikan Healer who, as described by Dr. Asa Hilliard III, functions in the tradition of Afrikan Teaching Excellence.  In this role, her muti or healing medicine is healthy identity development. Using her extensive travels to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, London, Paris, Ghana, and recently Kenya, Dr. Nunley provides local, national, and international presentations and professional development training on human development and mental wellbeing.

Dr. Nunley embraces and strongly advocates for Traditional Afrikan Deep Thought as the optimal functioning for all Afrikan ascendent children and youth growing and developing in the Motherland and the Diasporas.  She created two Black child development courses and routinely provides consulting to organizations and institutions that provide services to Black children and their families. In her role as a teacher-educator she designed and implemented a humanizing approach to teaching and learning entitled African Ubuntu Pedagogy or A-Up.  She has used her growing knowledge of human development to conceive a host of concepts, examples include “Black Love Parenting”, “ABC’s of Afrikan Wellness”, “The Float Response”, “Spirit Molestation”, and the “B’s of Blackness”.  Her interactive teaching style incorporates what she calls “Afrikan Verve Learning”, this methodology links rhythm with muscle memory and simplifies complex theories and concepts.

Dr. La Tronda

Chapter Vice president

Dr. La Tronda holds a PhD in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology from at the California institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Irvine, a Master’s in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Mills College.

Dr. La Tronda has over twenty- five years of community and direct public service experience. Dr. La Tronda currently works as a clinician/mental health specialist addressing issues related to PTSD and substance addiction; complex childhood and intergenerational trauma; sexual assault, racial trauma, suicide risk factors, and self-harm behaviors. She offers services that address the energetic and spiritual aspects of healing to appeal to the whole person. Her dissertation research examined the importance of understanding ancestral consciousness and wisdom as a resource for psycho-spiritual well-being and wholeness and specifically looking at intergenerational resilience. Dr. La Tronda believes that communalism and collective coping mechanisms can engender a stronger collective identity and can aid in the restoration of the fractured cultural identity and shattered consciousness of people of African ancestry. The positionality in which she approaches her work is rooted in African-centered/Black Psychology, Liberation Psychology, Optimal Conceptual Theory, the Sakhu Djaer—the science of being Spirit, Ubuntu (Zulu concept of shared humanity: “I am because we are, and because we are, therefore I am”), and Consubstantiation (the notion that all living things in the universe are interdependent and interconnected). Dr. La Tronda believes that these are all important aspects of psycho-spiritual well-being, restoration, wholeness, and transformation. Her inquiry also examines how participating in ancestral veneration creates individual and collective wholeness and well-being that allows for creative intelligence, spiritual development, and an expansive intuitive nature. Dr. La Tronda is currently the Project Manager for the Center for Black & Indigenous Praxis at CIIS, Vice-President of the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists, and support various community-based organizations with growth, development, and planning strategies to better service the Black community.

Dr. Wade Ifágbemì Sàngódáre Nobles

Remote Chapter Elder

Dr. Wade W. Nobles is the son of Annie Mae Cotton (1914b) and John Nobles (1900b). John Nobles' father was Mims Nobles who was born into the barbarism of American slavery in 1863. Mims' father was Wade Nobles who was born into the savagery of slavery in 1836. Wade Nobles was the oldest son of Candace/Agnes (Cilla) who was also born into captivity in Edgefield, South Carolina in 1810. Dr. Nobles is the namesake of his great grandfather, Agnes' oldest son. His mother and father named him Wade which means one who is able to tred through difficult matter like slavery, mud, snow, or ignorance. Baba Dr. Nobles and his wife, Iya Dr. Vera Winmilawe Nokwanda Nobles have five children (Michael, Omar, Zetha, Ayanna, & Halima and thirteen grand-children (Talia, Mikal, Christopher, Donovan, Johnathan, Deborah, Massai, Zana, Afolarin, Moremi, Folasade, Yasmeen,Oni). Dr. Nobles is a co-founding member and Past President (1994-95) of the Association of Black Psychologists and Professor Emeritus in Africana Studies and Black Psychology (Past Dept Chair, 1997 – 1999) at San Francisco State University. He is the founding Executive Director (retired) of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture (est 1968) in Oakland where he spent over 40 years researching, documenting, publishing, designing and implementing African centered service and training programs. Dr. Nobles has studied classical African philosophy (Kemet, Twa & Nubian) and traditional African wisdom traditions (Akan, Yoruba, Bantu, Wolof, Dogon, Fon, Lebou, etc) as the grounding for the development of an authentic Black psychology.

dr. Lawford Goddard

Chapter Elder

Born in Trinidad and Tobago and educated in Trinidad, Jamaica and the United States, Dr. Lawford L. Goddard is a sociologist/ demographer who received his doctoral degree in Sociology from Stanford University with a minor in Education. As one of the founders of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture, Inc. in Oakland, California, he was involved in community-based programs for over forty years. He taught in the Black Studies Department at San Francisco State University for twenty years and retired in 2004 as Lecturer Emeritus in Africana Studies. Lawford also taught classes at U.C. Berkeley, Stanford and Cal State Eastbay. Lawford grew up in Belmont and attended Belmont Methodist School, Osmond High School and Queens Royal College and later the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He developed a passion for scholar-activism at the University of Woodford Square where the People’s National Movement (PNM), under the leadership of Dr. Eric Williams, would hold mass political meetings to discuss politics, history, economics, and civics during the election campaign of 1955.

Dr. Goddard possesses a broad multidisciplinary social science background and is an expert on Black family dynamics, Black culture, youth development programs, suicide among the Black population, and substance abuse and HIV/AIDS education and prevention with over forty years experience as a trainer/educator in these areas. Lawford has also participated in over eight nationally funded community-based, participatory research, training and development projects.

Michael Roosevelt

Treasurer

Michael Roosevelt, creator of the Mbongi Holding Space © Journal, has undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology from San Francisco State University. He completed post-graduate training in clinical psychology at Children’s Hospital, Oakland, California, where he treated children and families and conducted psychological assessments and personality evaluations. Michael holds a lifetime California Community College Counseling credential. l He designs and delivers programs for judicial officers, lawyers, court staff and administrators, public and private agencies on diversity matters. He developed and taught Beyond Bias: Assuring Fairness in the Courts, a fairness and diversity curriculum for court staff. This three-hour training consisted of modules on culture, bias, stereotypes, perception, disability, and sexual orientation. This comprehensive curriculum was designed and delivered to reach 15,000 court employees. To reach that audience, he delivered the curriculum and conducted train-the-trainers throughout the state of California. The curriculum has become the standard throughout the state for covering diversity topics. He also develops judicial, court staff programs covering implicit and unconscious bias with a focus on mediating its impact on decision-making. Mr. Roosevelt’s model implicit bias education program is designed to help people and organizations understand how the mind works and what can be done to mediate the influence of bias in human interactions and decision-making. The presentations that he and his colleague delivers are grounded in the neuroscience and social psychology. His programs are not off the shelf, but designed to fit the organization, agency or department needs. The programs he delivers are very practical and applicable to work and one’s personal life.

dr. Tony Jackson

Past President

Dr. Tony Jackson is a licensed clinical psychologist, board certified in neurofeedback, clinical training director and co-founder of PranaMind, LLC. His clinical experience includes tours with Children’s Hospital-Oakland, New Leaf Treatment Center, Oakland Community Counseling and Sunset Day Treatment Center in San Francisco. He established his teaching career at College of Notre Dame (now Notre Dame de NaMur University) as an assistant professor of psychology and at Skyline College, as an adjunct professor. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health and Multicultural Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley-Alameda campus (renamed Alliant University). Dr. Jackson served as Clinical Training Director for the Therapist In Residency training program (TNR-bay area) and currently serves as clinical supervisor for the Nganga na Dibuti program. As a tenured professor of psychology at Skyline College (Ret.), he formally coordinated the ASTEP (African American Success Through Excellence and Persistence) program. His teaching experience includes various graduate and undergraduate programs in the San Francisco Bay area. Dr. Jackson assisted in developing a handbook for the development of culturally sensitive learning communities as part of the GROWTH (Genuine Rebuilding Opportunities With Technology and Humanity) curriculum as well as in the development of The Adewole Project and the ASTEP Math Academy, at Skyline College. He is co- author of “Psychology: Connections in Theory and Practice 4th ed.” and author of “Black Male Violence in Perspective-Towards an Afrocentric Approach” and the DragonSlayer curriculum for violence prevention/intervention. In addition, he developed and co- directed the first Brain Training and Peak Performance Project along with Dr. Raymond Jones at Skyline College.

Zack Danielz

Student Circle Chair

As an African American male who is the first in his family to pursue a doctorate degree, Zack's focus is working with Black men and families. This focus stems from his personal experience growing up in a low-income Black family that struggled to pay rent and afford basic necessities let alone prioritize mental health. Having worked with many low-income BIPOC and immigrants for most of his career, Zack brings firsthand professional experience working with trauma, grief, and anxiety. What is unique about Zack is his creativity, thoughtfulness, and openness to learning. These qualities are evident in his hobby as a breakdancer and his engagement in clinical psychology. His area of research aims to explore the impact of childhood trauma and parental epistemology of single Black fathers on the children they raise. Ultimately, Zack’s restorative engagement with Black folks is a reflection of an African worldview celebrating their distinct diasporic experiences and strengths.

Azizi Gupton, MA, AMFT, APCC

Interim Chapter Secretary

Azizi Gupton is currently a Behavioral Health Clinician in SF County Jail and works with justice involved men & women having courageous healing conversations around what is disrupting the natural harmony in their lives and spirit. They work together to create a life balance that will illuminate their spirit and alleviate the negative energy forces that have created feelings of inadequacy and discourse in their lives. Azizi is the daughter of a formerly incarcerated father, so she understands the impact of the struggle and disconnection that incarceration places on families and the stressors of re-entry. She assists them in creating a new narrative that is defined by them through a lens that is shaped by their experiences but not rooted in their trauma but in their strengths and dreams.

Azizi works with them to undo the harm caused by various traumas and historical systems of oppression through courageous healing conversations around cultural awareness, education, and spiritual realigning using bibliotherapy (books), psychoeducation (movies, music, art), rituals, journaling etc. as tools to aid in the facilitation of an organic healing journey that is centered around their expertise and experiences.

She trained with the Therapists in Residency Program through the Association of Black Psychologists in order to learn how to create effective healing spaces for Black folks from a worldview that is not only culturally reaffirming but will challenge their comfort zone of the western grand narrative. Azizi is currently working with couples, individuals and especially those effected by incarceration, re-entry, and community violence. Together, they co-create a new definition of what a Beautiful Struggle looks and feels like.   

Dr. Zeeyon Walker

ABPsi National Western Region Representative and Chapter Member

Dr. Zeeyon Walker, Psy.D., “Dr. Z,” is a Black Psychologist with a wealth of life and professional experiences spanning more than 30 years. Historical, cultural, and environmental factors majorly impact holistic wellness in our community. Therefore, Dr.  Z is committed as a guardian for the expansion and promotion of African centered thought and application in Psychology.  Nationally, Dr. Z is the Western Regional Representative, serving on the National Board of the Association of Black Psychologists. She is a local member of the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists, and she has completed rigorous training to be elevated as an Nganga ná Dibuti.  Dr. Z applies her forensic training to forensic assessment in detention settings, restorative justice, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, and recidivism prevention and advocacy.

Narissa Harris, LMFT

CEU Coordinator

Narissa Harris has a passion for helping others and believes that everyone has the potential to grow. Narissa is a believer in God, a wife, and a mother. She is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Master's Degree in Counseling and is a proud a member of the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi). Narissa is also a certified continuing education provider through the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT). In addition to providing individual, couple, and family therapy through her private practice; Narissa also provides trainings, supervision, and consultations to help others become more culturally sound in the work they are doing. She has a passion for bringing awareness to the issues affecting the Black community, which includes a particular interest and specialty in the area of Black maternal and infant health. Narissa provides support to women in the prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum phases of life, with an emphasis and passion in making sure Black women and mothers are always remembered and supported in the work she does.

Rose Ashford

Administrative Assistant

From the deep roots of Sierra Leone to the expansive possibilities of the American dream, Rose H. Ashford's life has been a testament to growth, reflection, and the pursuit of excellence. Inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s profound insight that "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity," Rose has dedicated her life to transcending personal limits and embracing the collective journey of humanity. The daughter of a distinguished GYN/OBGYN in Sierra Leone who never turned a patient away regardless of their economic status, Rose was raised with a strong sense of duty and compassion. Her mother, a beacon of determination, tirelessly chased the American dream and instilled in Rose the crucial values of hard work and introspection. From her, Rose learned that the essence of life lies not just in achieving personal goals but in continuously questioning, evaluating, and refining our paths to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Art Harris, LMFT

CEU Coordinator

Art Harris, is a Bay Area native, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a school psychologist with 20 years of experience working in the field of mental health and special education. He is a member of the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists.

Dr. Daktari

HUB Clinical Supervisor & POST News Editor

A native of Chocolate City Washington, D.C., Dr. Daktari is a Practicing Forensic Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and a Clinical Supervisor for the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists' (ABPsi Bay Area) Nganga ná Dibuti Program (formerly Therapist-in-Residency Program) in Oakland, CA. Dr. Daktari earned her Master of Arts and Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. She offered a critical analysis of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome for her doctoral dissertation in 2015. Dr. Daktari completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Pacific Forensic Psychology Associates/Sharper Future in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Counties in California, specializing in forensic assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation of men and women convicted of sexual offenses. A past board member of ABPsi Bay Area, Dr. Daktari currently serves as a co-editor with Dr. Wade Nobles for the Oakland Post Newspaper ABPsi Bay Area Monthly Mental Health & Wellness Column since 2018. Dr. Daktari served as the Creative Director of the Daktari Dance Medicine Collective from 2016-2021. In 2017, Dr. Daktari birthed Sakhu Djaer Dance Circles, an illumination & liberation practice offering regeneration and restoration via communal dance, drum, rhythmic breathwork, herbal medicine, spoken medicine, ngolo, and zola. As an Ifa/Lukumí initiate, Dr. Daktari also serves as a psycho-spiritual consultant.

Sayoko Duhe Watson, MA
Program Manager

Sayoko Duhe Watson, an Oakland native, is the Director of Creative Content and Development at Olu8 Film & Culture. In this role, she guides innovative projects and crafts compelling content that resonates across varying demographics.

In addition, Sayoko is a versatile consultant dedicated to transforming ideas into tangible wins for individuals and organizations. Drawing from professional experiences in the fields of youth and family systems, behavioral health and wellness, and higher education, she is keen on exploring the varying dimensions of human purpose and potential.

Sayoko has conducted research on culturally centered community mental health, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention, mentoring, and the experiences of non-traditional students in college. In addition, she developed and managed educational programs for Bay Area community organizations and colleges, using behavioral and cultural strategies to create impactful change.

Sayoko holds a BA in Social Science from San Francisco State University and an MA in Education with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling from San Diego State University. During her undergraduate years, she joined The Association of Black Psychologists, serving as the Student Circle Chair for the Bay Area Chapter and holding board positions as Secretary and Treasurer over multiple terms. Currently, she contributes to the advisory boards of Emergination Africa based in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Girls Saturday Academy of the Bay Area.

ComCon Tech Solutions LLC

Web Master

At ComCon Tech Solutions, we believe in the power of digital solutions to drive meaningful change and empower individuals and businesses to reach their full potential. Founded with a vision to revolutionize the way businesses connect and thrive in the digital age, we’re committed to creating a world where innovation knows no bounds and success knows no limits.