Francis Cecil Sumner a father of Black American Psychology Essay Example

at Clark University in Massachusetts to earn a second bachelor's degree. Although he was restricted to sitting at a special table in the university's dining room, he managed to have conversations with a few white students who were willing to engage with him. Living off-campus was also restricted; however, one of his professors arranged for him to stay as a guest with an exceptional colored family in Worcester.

Sumner recognized that black intellectuals often faced disadvantages due to the lack of easily accessible Negro universities and colleges in rural areas. Nevertheless, he went on to become a psychology and German lecturer at Lincoln University—a testament to his determination and commitment to education. He developed a valuable mentor-mentee bond with Stanley Hall, the esteemed founder of child psychology and educational psychology.

After serving in World War I, Sumner completed his doctoral dissertation in 1920 and became the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology.Sumner's remarkable scientific contribution, acknowledged and supported by Hall, played a crucial role in securing him a doctoral scholarship at Clark University. Hall recognized Sumner's strong interest in psychoanalysis and applauded his exceptional ability to critique renowned figures like Freud and Adler. Sumner's PhD dissertation, titled "Psychoanalysis of Freud and Adler or sex-determinism and character formation," delves into the biological and psychological aspects of sex-determinism (p.1). Furthermore, Sumner highlights that psychoanalysis affirms the belief that one's thoughts are manifested through their actions or projections. From 1926 to 1927, Sumner's articles sparked controversy as they praised Booker T. Washington's reform efforts while advocating for a fresh approach to African-American education aimed at uplifting the community spiritually. While teaching at West Virginia State College, Sumner

conducted research projects and published influential works on racial prejudice, black education, and the impact of inherited versus acquired traits in education. He later assumed the position of chair for Howard University’s psychology department from 1928 until his passing in 1954.Under Sumner's leadership, Howard University became known as "Black Harvard" due to its reputation as a renowned research center for training black psychologists. Sumner and his students actively conducted research on various topics such as religion-psychology, psychology and law, and the relationship between the black community and the criminal justice system. In addition, he translated thousands of articles from German, French, and Spanish into leading scientific journals.

In 1931, Sumner attended the First International Congress for Religious Psychology at Vienna University where he met influential psychologists who inspired him with their slogans promoting the religion-psychology movement in Europe. His work on "Mental Hygiene and Religion" was well-received which led him to build an extensive library of European literature on religion.

Sumner had a strong interest in studying the connection between psychology and law which resulted in him writing numerous reviews on various books related to this topic. Former students described him as a dedicated and unassuming psychologist with an impressive ability to analyze personalities.

He was affiliated with prestigious institutions including being a fellow of the American Psychological Association and a member of other organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, American Educational Research Association, and Eastern Psychological Association.

Sumner was married twice - first to Francees H. Hughston in 1922 and then to Nettie M. Broker in 1946 - but did not have children from either marriage.Sumner made significant contributions to psychology through his

extensive research on Adler and Freud's lives and psychological perspectives. At the age of sixteen, he publicly professed his religion and became deeply interested in religious psychology, leading him to write "The Idea of Holiness." His dedication, scholarship, and perseverance were evident in his efforts to advance Black psychology. He was committed to understanding and reducing racial bias while advocating for educational justice. Sumner firmly believed that equal access to education should be available to everyone regardless of their skin color. Throughout his life, he actively worked towards ending racial discrimination and segregation.

During World War I, Sumner wrote two controversial letters addressing the oppression faced by Black individuals and criticizing the United States' post-war relationship with Germany. He also conducted research on racial issues and supported school segregation alongside his academic career. The text emphasizes the profound influence of Sumner's contributions to black psychology, earning him respect from esteemed scientists such as Frederick Payne Watts, Horace Mann Bond, Charles Henry Turner, and Angie King. These scholars further expanded upon his concepts.Furthermore, Sumner's achievement as the initial African American to earn a doctoral degree in psychology has significantly impacted educational reform and remains highly esteemed today.