In the mid 1960's a group of African American graduate psychology students at the University of Michigan gathered to provide each other with social and academic support. In 1969 these students, under the leadership of Wade Boykin and Frank Yates, formed a local chapter of the Black Student Psychological Association (BSPA). At that time, the group's primary goals were to ensure the recruitment and retention of African American graduate students and faculty in the Psychology department.

From 1969 until 1980, BSPA organized bi-weekly colloquia and annual symposia on various aspects of African American life (i.e., Black child development, unemployment, etc.) From 1976 to 1982, as BSPA members graduated, and as the number of Black students in the department dropped sharply, BSPA became less active. During this time, the national chapter of BSPA became defunct. 1982 marked the revival of BSPA at the University of Michigan. It was in this year that the organization developed and enacted the rigorous, comprehensive and immensely successful recruitment program, which is still in place today. BSPA's primary means of recruitment in the 1980's involved contacting undergraduate students in the U of M community who were interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Psychology. BSPA offered advice on the application process, and answered the questions of prospective graduate students. In addition, the organization reviewed the applications of prospective students for completeness and clarity before they were sent to their respective area admissions committees for review. In 1985, BSPA sponsored its first nationally focused recruitment weekend. Students were selected from colleges and universities around the country, and were flown to the University of Michigan, where they had an opportunity to meet with faculty and students in the Psychology department. These students received a tour of the campus and participated in workshops on such topics as "Writing a Personal statement," "Selecting a Mentor," and "How to choose a Graduate Program."

This recruitment program, which is now sponsored annually, has achieved unparalleled success and has earned national acclaim as a model for successful recruitment.

In addition to its recruitment efforts, BSPA has functioned as a service organization. Traditionally, BSPA members have provided service to the university as well as to surrounding communities. BSPA alumna, Vonnie McLoyd, pointed out that in the 1970's BSPA conducted outreach programs for inmates at the Milan Federal Prison. The organization conducted self-esteem workshops and taught political and educational classes at the prison. These efforts included the development of a literacy program for inmates. At the same time, BSPA also established a parent-child resource center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The BSPA Health Fair was an outgrowth of this program.

Our tradition of service continues. In 1992, BSPA joined with other organizations to raise over $700 for underpriviledged children in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. Since October 21, 1992, BSPA has been actively involved in an Adopt-A-hall program at Maxey Boy's Training School, a residential facility for delinquent teens. The program, developed by BSPA member Charles Graham, allows BSPA members to serve as mentors for 20 young men at Maxey ñ the majority of whom are African American. Through weekend visits to Maxey, BSPA conducts educational sessions on various aspects of African American experience (including African American history, rap music and Kwanzaa). BSPA is also actively committed to mentoring undergraduate students majoring in Psychology.

Also in keeping with its tradition of scholarly activism, BSPA has taken an active role in addressing a range of critical issues facing the Black community and world-wide. In the Fall of 1992, BSPA hosted its annual Installation ceremonies featuring Keynote speaker Dr. Marjorie Hill. The theme of the installation was: Expanding notions of Inclusion. Under this theme we were able to begin the weighty task of breaking the silence around such issues as homophobia, heterosexism, health care, AIDS, etc. The installation was followed by a Grassroots Workshop on ethnographic approaches to culturally competent research in the social sciences.

BSPA continues to meet its objectives as a support system for its members. The organization sponsors academic forums or ëbrown bags' where members can present their research in an informal environment. These forums allow for critical feedback on student's research in terms of both content and presentation style. BSPA also provides opportunities for social support for its members.

The BSPA tradition is alive and well! The struggle continues!