Token? Just Might Be The Right Amount Of Change
I have been aware of what a Token Black person is for as long as I can remember. For those not familiar, this is when underrepresented groups are used to give the appearance of diversity within an organization or system, yet neglecting to address systemic issues that prevent success and growth for them. For those still not understanding, look at the types of marketing companies do during February and June. You know, when they post photos of their Queer, Black, and Brown employees for Black History Month, Pride, and Juneteenth to show their diversity and mission for equality. Yet, they have zero representation of these groups among their leadership staff. Okay, good, I think you’re following me now.
As a BLACK therapist, I fully embody the unicorn that I am; a Black Queer Sex Therapist and Supervisor licensed in Baltimore and Florida. I have often found myself in places where I have been the token black individual amongst white peers. Whether it was making up the 3% of Black women on my collegiate basketball team or the 2% of Black people in my graduate cohort. The lack of representation in the spaces I navigate has never been lost on me.
So, of course, pursuing a career in mental health, where Black people represent less than 4% of professionals made sense, right? I recognize the importance of my presence in professional environments without conforming to societal expectations and stereotypes. For this reason, I have adapted my sense of change to the “token” narrative. Seeking connection with other minorities within the mental health field was only the beginning. A community for Black and Brown professionals supporting other marginalized individuals can not be stressed enough. I hope if nothing else, you take from this blog a drive to connect with others.
Numbers Don’t Lie
As Jay-Z said, “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.” Although this lyric is binary, the numbers according to The Association of Black Psychologists in 2022 aren’t.
A survey of the mental health workforce found, “Nationally, 4% of psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2018), 2% of psychiatrists (American Psychiatric Association, 2021), 22% of social workers (Institute for Health Workforce Equity, 2020), 7% of marriage and family counselors, and 11% of professional counselors are reported to be Black.” A statistics 101 refresher was not my intention, however, these numbers exemplify the high probability of other mental health professionals that too have had to navigate in spaces being “the other.”
Having a community can allow you to feel seen, heard, understood, and validated, without having to justify why you’re deserving of it. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, here are just a few places where you Black and Brown therapists and clients can cultivate community and connection.
A Community Within A Community
When I joined Space Between Counseling Services (SBCS), seven to eight years ago, it then consisted of 2 White clinicians and myself. Like so often before, I was again - the other.
Unlike previous experiences, I didn’t have to exhaust myself just to be considered. A rarity I know, I waited for Ashton Kutcher to jump out yelling “punked” as well. I was fortunate to join a practice that nurtured and encouraged growth for my exploration as a Black clinician.
They became part of my chosen community, and though their experiences were different, they allowed my 4% representation to take up space. SBCS continues to push me to create a community both inside and outside of the practice. This has included training that supports marginalized identities, professional supervision from Black clinicians, and joining cultural organizations.
By choice, I am the practice’s Director of Inclusivity and supervisor for our Black and Brown clinicians. I do not take lightly the impact I have in my professional space. As I continue watching this practice grow, it excites me to not be “the other” having a voice, and fostering change. My hope is for other clinicians to feel empowered seeing representation in the leadership space and push for changes as needed so their 4% feels just a little bigger.
Engineering Your Needs
I cannot stress enough how important community is, so much so that I’ve only mentioned it in every paragraph thus far. Especially for mental health professionals who find themselves as the minority in their place of work.
Our clients share their fears, traumas, stigmas, and stressors daily. As Black & Brown clinicians, we often have a firsthand cultural awareness and connection with many of our clients that motivate us to continue showing up. We recognize the lack of therapists who look like us, and who support clients that look like us.
In therapeutic spaces, we’re frequently having sessions that “hit close to home” in ways our peers of other demographics may not. It is for this reason, I ask the staff that I mentor and supervise, “What does support look like for you?” Is it an online directory, a social media group, a group that meets in person, or additional mentorship?
In a career field with limited representation, often communal spaces have to be created because they don’t readily exist for us. Creating the structure you need to show up as your authentic self may not take place in one singular environment. As you attend conferences and networking events make it a point to exchange contact information with others. Find professional groups that align with your worldviews. Connecting with others can take us a long way. As Maya Angelou said, “Life offers us tickets to places which we have not knowingly asked for.”
Let's change the “token” narrative.
Meet the Author: Brittany Spencer
Brittany Spencer, LCPC is an individual and couple therapist, and serves as the director of inclusivity at Space Between Counseling Services in Baltimore City, Maryland. Brittany specializes in counseling for individuals and couples using Stan Tatkin’s Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) (Level 1) Trained.
Brittany specializes in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC community, Racism & oppression in marginalized communities, Sex Therapy (Completion of the University of Michigan - Sexual Health Certificate Program 2023 - 2024), Neurodiverse Couples, Traditional relationships, Nontraditional non monogamous and all consensual relationships, and other mental health providers.
When Brittany is not focusing on her clinical growth and expansion as a therapist in Baltimore, she enjoys going to the gym, outdoor hiking, participating in local charm city races, and spending time with her wife and family.
If you’re interested in learning more about working or consulting with Brittany, you can click the link below to her webpage.