07/31/2026
What if your proudest professional moments as a psychiatrist had nothing to do with degrees, board certifications, or academic titles?
What if they came from the relationships you built? The trust you were given? The circles that welcomed you in? The possibilities breathed alive by new friends?
Being invited to contribute to What I Wish My People Had Known: The Psychiatric Green Book, A Guide for Black Folks is one of the proudest moments of my career.
Because BEAM welcomed me into a community that expanded my imagination of what psychiatry could be—and what my place within it could be.
I certainly didn’t know this version of psychiatry was possible when I was surviving its worst parts 25 years ago or during the past 17 years of my career questioning whether I should stay in it.
Tuesday night, I had the privilege of joining co-creators Kelechi Marie and Yolo Akili at the Los Angeles launch celebration at Reparations Club. The gift of being welcomed into the heartache, grief, and joy of our local community has left me floating ever since. I still can’t believe I had a chance to be present(!). This was my golden ticket.
When I first saw the chapter titled “What a Radical Antiracist Psychiatrist Wants You to Know,” I teared up. I had no idea it would be there!
Three cheers for Marlon Morrible for the stunning graphic design and to Keris Myrick for shepherding me toward Kelechi and Yolo.
Psychiatrists of the world take note: serving Black people is not only our oath. It’s a pleasure and joy of life. 💚
