Black Americans and African Descendants (BAAD) Affinity Group
BAAD at 2011 ADTA Conference
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
(left to right: top row - Erin Holmes, Aqueena Smith, Mystique Hargrove, Maria Rivera, Lysa Monique Jenkins-Hayden, Romain Diaz, Charnè Fulcron-Mack
bottom row - Virginia Hill, Angela Tatum-Fairfax)
Black Americans and African Descendants (BAAD) Affinity Group was BAAD’s cross-disciplinary approach to discussion and research is also intended to raise awareness about Dance Movement Therapy in the minds of other mental health practitioners and to learn from other mental health and afro-centric holistic healing practitioners traditions that contribute to the well-being of Black persons.
An important goal of the BAAD affinity group is to unite, organize, and support Black dance movement therapy students and professionals in an effort to develop an approach to Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) that is consistent with the experience of Black people within the Americas (North, South, Latin or Caribbean) and abroad internationally. In order to reach this primary mission, BAAD has assessed that expanding its learning and awareness outside the DMT paradigm to engage other mental health fields and culturally indigenous healing customs, whose practice and research are focused on uncovering the various aspects of well-being for Black persons is of utmost importance and is also consistent with cultural competent standards
An important goal of the BAAD affinity group is to unite, organize, and support Black dance movement therapy students and professionals in an effort to develop an approach to Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) that is consistent with the experience of Black people within the Americas (North, South, Latin or Caribbean) and abroad internationally. In order to reach this primary mission, BAAD has assessed that expanding its learning and awareness outside the DMT paradigm to engage other mental health fields and culturally indigenous healing customs, whose practice and research are focused on uncovering the various aspects of well-being for Black persons is of utmost importance and is also consistent with cultural competent standards
Go to our “Upcoming Events” page for upcoming workshops and events.
Go to our “Contacts Us” page If you are interested in joining our monthly national tele/video conference.
Go to our “Contacts Us” page If you are interested in joining our monthly national tele/video conference.
BAAD Strategic Goals
Academic & Clinical Practice Goals
Within American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) / DMT Community
- To develop an approach to Dance Movement Therapy that is consistent with the experience of Black people in the Americas--North, Latin, or South.
- To promote positive and constructive understandings of Black people through strengths based appoaches to research, academic training, or clinical development.
Within American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) / DMT Community
- To educate and assist the ADTA in its quest to understand and provide services to Black DMT students, professionals, and enthusiasts.
- To advise the ADTA Multicultural and Diversity committee in understanding and developing cultural competence standards, guidelines, and research about Black clients, students, and professionals.
- To unite with other Black professional organizations to define mental health in consonance with newly established psychological concepts and standards regarding Black people.
- To unite with other Black professional organizations to develop policies for local, state and national decision making which impacts on the mental health of the Black community.
- To unite with other Black organizations and aid in the development of new independent Black institutions to enhance our psychological, educational, cultural, and economic situation.
- To produce and publish new research or distribute existing research that deepens clinical understanding or personal perspectives on Black American or people with African origins.
- To unite DMT students, professionals, and enthusiasts who identify as Black people and/or with African origins--including native Spanish or French speakers.
- To support professional development of Black Americans and/or those with African origins visiting the United States for DMT academic or professional purposes.
- To develop international support systems for Black DMT professional and students.
- To enhance the psychological well-being of all Black people in the Americas.
- To promote values and a life style that supports our survival and well-being as a race.