Feb 26, 2021
In this episode, Helen Neville speaks with pioneering psychology and Black Studies scholar, Dr. William E. Cross, Jr. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Dr. Cross’ foundational piece “The Negro-to-Black Conversion Experience” in the Black World.
Dr. Cross discusses life, the development of his Nigrescence Theory, and the meaning of Black liberation in 2021. Additionally, we learn more about his forthcoming book, Black Identity Viewed from a Barber’s Chair.
Included in this episode are brief tributes to Dr. Cross’s research by renown scholars Drs. Sundiata Cha-Jua, Kevin Cokley, and Jioni Lewis.
About Dr. William E. Cross, Jr.
Dr. William E. Cross Jr. is professor emeritus at the University of Denver where he held a joint appointment in Higher Education and Counseling Psychology. He is a specialist in the fields of Africana Studies and Black Psychology. Dr. Cross is internationally recognized for his Nigrescence Theory and research on racial-ethnic identity development more generally. His 1971 article titled “The Negro-to-Black Conversion Experience” radically changed the way in which psychologists studied social identities. He is the author of Shades of Black and the forthcoming book Black Racial Identity Viewed from a Barber’s Chair. Dr. Cross is a past president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race, which is a Division of the American Psychological Association. Among his numerous awards include receiving the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Applications of Psychology by the American Foundation Association /American Psychological Association and being named Distinguished Psychologist by the Association of Black Psychologists.
Selected Publications
- Cross Jr, W. E. (1971). The Negro-to-Black conversion experience. Black world, 20(9), 13-27.
- Cross Jr, W. E. (1991). Shades of Black: Diversity in African-American identity. Temple University Press.
- Cross, W. E., Jr. (1995).The psychology of Nigrescence: Revising the Cross model. In J. G. Ponterotto, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & C. M. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling (p. 93–122). Sage Publications, Inc.
- Cross, W. E., & Vandiver, B. J. (2001). Nigrescence theory and measurement. Handbook of multicultural counseling, 2, 371-393.
- Cross Jr, W. E. (2021). Black identity viewed from a barber’s chair. Temple University Press.
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Episode Credits:
Introduction and Music: Amir Maghsoodi & Briana Williams
Podcast Artwork: B. Andi Lee & Amir Maghsoodi
Episode Editing: Helen A. Neville
Episode Transcript: