The Fellowship is designed for research faculty and career researchers who are ready to translate adolescent development and well-being expertise into meaningful applications that benefit young Black people.
In amplifying the visibility of Black youth mental health research within the broader mental health field, this initiative aims to increase the number of viable solutions that support the mental health and well-being of Black adolescents. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, six fellows will collaborate with one another, Hopelab experts, and industry leaders to develop and refine their groundbreaking projects.
The fellowship is generously co-funded by the Bezos Family Foundation.
Hopelab’s 2024-25 HBCU Translational Science Fellows
Empowering young Black people to thrive requires a deep understanding of their unique mental health and well-being needs. Hopelab is excited to accelerate cutting-edge research at HBCUs to help improve Black youth mental health.
Darren Bernal, Ph.D. (Howard University)
Darren Bernal, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Howard University focused on sociocultural factors that affect psychological and social functioning. Drawing upon his experience as a licensed psychologist, Dr. Bernal is creating a gamified digital intervention to improve first-generation students’ psychological well-being at HBCUs.
Billie Castle, Ph.D., MPH (Xavier University of Louisiana)
Billie Castle, Ph.D., MPH, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Services at Xavier University of Louisiana is working with young people in New Orleans to develop an advocacy training program focused on youth mental health and climate change at the state and federal levels. Dr. Castle is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a graduate of Howard University.
Breonte Guy, Ph.D. (Winston-Salem State University)
Breonte Guy, Ph.D., aims to reduce social isolation and improve mental well-being among Black adolescents by developing a gamified digital platform where young people can connect, share experiences, and build resilience. Dr. Guy is Acting Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University.
Danielle Hairston, MD (Howard University)
Danielle Hairston, MD, is creating an online platform that centers on the Black mental health experience. It offers young people a sense of community and access to peer support while also educating medical students and psychiatry residents on innovative approaches to patient care. Dr. Hairston is an Assistant Professor at Howard University and the Psychiatry Residency Program Director at Howard University College of Medicine and Hospital.
Raquel Martin, Ph.D. (Tennessee State University)
Raquel Martin, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Tennessee State University, licensed clinical psychologist, and scientist. Dr. Martin teaches courses such as Psychology of the Black Experience, Mental Health, Activism, and Hip-Hop Music, and Introductory Research Methods with an emphasis on decolonization and intersectionality. Dr. Martin aims to develop a new conceptual framework for Black identity development, grounded in the voices and experiences of Black youth. Using qualitative methods like interviews and focus groups, the project aims to create a digital library that not only serves as a repository of resources but also informs this framework, providing interactive tools and multimedia resources for fostering positive racial identity and mental well-being that will be beneficial for youth and educators.
Natalie Watson-Singleton, Ph.D. (Spelman College)
Natalie Watson-Singleton, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at Spelman College, plans to extend a mindfulness stress-reduction app for Black Americans by creating new content specifically designed to meet the needs of Black young people.