02/19/2026
For Black History Month’s 2026 theme of “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” I’d love to highlight the pioneers who helped shape the field of mental health long before it was inclusive, equitable, or welcoming.
Mental Health America has compiled a powerful resource honoring Black innovators in mental health: clinicians, researchers, advocates, and leaders who expanded access to care, challenged systemic harm, and pushed the field forward. Find their names and contributions here [https://mhanational.org/resources/black-pioneers-in-mental-health/]
And still… we are only scratching the surface.
Black mental health continues to be impacted by disparities in access, stigma, misdiagnosis, and systemic inequities. The work is not finished. But, because of these pioneers, the door is wider and the conversation is deeper.
This month, we honor those who laid the foundation and we recommit to doing better, listening more closely, and building a field where healing is truly accessible to all.❤️💛💚