Understanding Racial Trauma and Africentric Pathways to Healing

Racial trauma is a reality that many Black individuals carry, often unseen yet deeply felt. It stems from the cumulative impact of systemic racism, discrimination, microaggressions, and intergenerational oppression. These experiences, whether overt or subtle, leave emotional scars that can manifest as anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, or even physical health issues like chronic pain and hypertension (high blood pressure).

While traditional mental health approaches offer tools for coping, addressing racial trauma requires a culturally attuned lens—one that recognizes the unique experiences of Black individuals and centers healing within their cultural context. Africentric principles can provide that pathway, offering holistic and empowering approaches to mental wellness for Black clients.

Photo Credit: The Black Wall Street Times

What Is Racial Trauma?

Racial trauma, sometimes referred to as race-based traumatic stress, occurs when individuals experience or witness events of racism that overwhelm their ability to cope. These events might include:

• Discrimination in the workplace, education, or healthcare

• Encounters with racial profiling or police violence

• Historical and intergenerational oppression passed down through families

• Constant exposure to racism in media or everyday interactions

  
  

The effects of racial trauma are far-reaching. It can disrupt a person’s sense of safety, identity, and self-worth, leading to feelings of helplessness or disconnection. For many, it’s not a one-time event but an ongoing, compounding experience.

Africentric Principles as a Framework for Healing

Africentric principles, rooted in the values and traditions of African culture, can offer a culturally affirming approach to mental health. These principles emphasize interconnectedness, spirituality, and the reclamation of cultural identity—essential tools in addressing racial trauma.

1. Ubuntu (Interconnectedness):Ubuntu teaches that “I am because we are.” This principle underscores the importance of community in healing. Group therapy, wellness circles, or culturally specific support groups can provide safe spaces for Black clients to share their stories, find validation, and foster resilience.

2. Spirituality and Faith:For many Black individuals, spirituality is a source of strength and healing. Incorporating prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices into mental health work can bridge the gap between psychological and spiritual wellness.

3. Historical Reflection and Reclamation:Healing racial trauma involves understanding and reclaiming one’s history. Encouraging clients to learn about their cultural heritage can help restore pride and identity, countering the erasure and oppression of Black histories.

4. Holistic Approaches: Africentric frameworks recognize the mind-body-spirit connection. Practices like mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic therapies can help Black clients process trauma and reconnect with their inner strength.

   
   

EmpowerED: Training for Change

To address the unique needs of Black clients, mental health professionals and organizations must embrace culturally informed approaches. That’s where my EmpowerED Training Workshops comes in.

These specialized workshops equips professionals with the tools to understand, address, and facilitate healing of racial trauma within an Afro-Caribbean framework. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies, culturally aligned interventions, and practical ways to create safe, affirming spaces for Black clients.

Healing racial trauma is not about forgetting the past but about reclaiming the power, dignity, and resilience that have always been within us.

EmpowerED is more than a training—it’s a call to action for a mental health landscape that truly serves Black communities with empathy, respect, and transformative care.

Moving Toward Healing

Racial trauma may leave scars, but healing is possible. By embracing Africentric principles, fostering safe spaces, and empowering Black clients to reconnect with their identity and heritage, we can move from surviving to thriving.

For mental health practitioners, leaders, and organizations seeking to deepen their impact, EmpowerED Training Workshops are a step toward justice, equity, and transformative care. Let’s work together to ensure every client feels seen, valued, and empowered to heal.

For more information on the training browse our website!

Continued Growth

As lifelong learners, we should embrace opportunities to deepen our understanding and continue growing. If you’d like to explore this topic further, consider checking out some of the resources below. These materials not only expand on the ideas discussed here but also served as valuable references for this blog.

Books on Racial Trauma

1. Carter, R. T. (2007). Racism and Psychological and Emotional Injury: Recognizing and Assessing Race-Based Traumatic Stress

   • This foundational work explores the concept of race-based traumatic stress and its impact on mental health.

2. DeGruy, J. (2005). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing

   • A powerful analysis of the multi-generational trauma of slavery and systemic oppression, offering pathways for healing.

3. Menakem, R. (2017). My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies

   • A somatic approach to understanding and healing racial trauma, incorporating mindfulness and body-based practices.

4. Tatum, B. D. (2017). Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race

   • This book addresses the development of racial identity and the psychological impact of racism on children and adults.

Books on Africentric Principles

5. Asante, M. K. (2003). Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change

   • A foundational text that introduces the concept of Afrocentricity and its applications for understanding social and cultural phenomena.

6. Schiele, J. H. (1996). Africentric Social Work

   • An exploration of how Africentric principles can be applied to social work practice, emphasizing community and collective well-being.

7. Akbar, N. (1996). Know Thyself

   • This book discusses African-centered psychology and its importance in understanding the self through an Africentric lens.

8. Karenga, M. (1997). Introduction to Black Studies

   • A comprehensive overview of Africentric perspectives on history, culture, politics, and economics.

Articles and Journals

9. Carter, R. T. (2007). The Psychological Impact of Racism: Emotional Stress, Trauma, and Mental Health (The Counseling Psychologist)

   • A detailed study of the effects of racism on mental health and strategies for addressing it.

10. Grills, C., & Rowe, D. (1998). Africentric Social Sciences for Human Services: Research and Development Perspectives (Journal of Black Studies)

o   Examines how Africentric frameworks can transform research and practice in human services.

Additional Resources

11. Harrell, S. P. (2000). A Multidimensional Conceptualization of Racism-Related Stress (American Journal of Orthopsychiatry)

    • Explores the complexities of racism-related stress and its implications for mental health.

12. Watkins, N., & Shulman, H. (2008). Toward Psychologies of Liberation

    • This book discusses liberatory psychologies, integrating Africentric and other decolonial perspectives.

13. Guthrie, R. V. (2004). Even the Rat Was White: A Historical View of Psychology

    • Provides a historical critique of racism in the field of psychology and highlights Africentric contributions to mental health.

Online Resources

• Healing Racial Trauma Toolkit (by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

  https://www.nctsn.org

  • Practical tools for addressing racial trauma in therapy and community settings.

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About Shanique Victoria Edwards

Shanique Victoria Edwards, BSc, MDiv, and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), is the founder of Shanique Victoria Psychotherapy & Wellness, a virtual private practice committed to providing compassionate and transformative mental health care to all individuals. While Shanique works with a diverse range of clients, her practice has a committed focus on supporting Black and racialized individuals through culturally relevant and faith-informed care. She is passionate about creating safe spaces where clients can explore their mental health, navigate challenges, and build resilience.

Shanique specializes in areas such as racial trauma recovery, mental wellness, and integrating spirituality into therapy. Her work is particularly informed by an Afro-Caribbean lens, ensuring that her services are culturally affirming and grounded in an understanding of her clients’ lived experiences.

In addition to her private practice, Shanique is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and facilitator. She has delivered workshops and presentations on topics including racial trauma and mental health, cultural competency in mental health care, navigating burnout and compassion fatigue, and promoting inclusivity in clinical practice. She has also developed programs on Africentric crisis intervention, making mental health services safe for Black and racialized individuals, and fostering healing and resilience in marginalized communities.

Through her writing, speaking engagements, and community collaborations, Shanique advocates for equity and inclusion while empowering individuals to embrace their unique paths toward healing and growth. Her work bridges cultural understanding with evidence-based practices, making mental health care accessible and affirming for all.

For more resources and to learn more about Shanique’s work, visit www.shaniquevictoria.com.