The Africana Studies Institute recognizes the competitive nature of our work and the culture of exhaustion in academe. The intense pressure to publish or perish can exact a physical toll, with “weathering” effects.  Claims of disproportionate service are not new; however, the problem requires explicit acknowledgment to remedy disparities that exist in many forms for Africana Studies core and affiliate faculty.   

Our efforts to organize wellness workshops are key to the successful retention of Africana studies faculty, especially early in their career. Invited mental health experts–for example, founder and CEO of Well Academic, Dr. Roxanne Donovan, and career coaches like Gigi Gibbs–equip our faculty with scientifically informed, and culturally sensitive strategies that minimize feelings of frustration, shame, and self-blame that are commonly experienced in response to stressors that negatively impact job performance. Such an affirming environment can lead to peer-mentoring, and result in more targeted opportunities that focus on professional development, career advancement, and additional psychosocial support. 

Our faculty sustain feelings of belonging and a healthy engagement with the University, as cultivated by these wellness workshops, and expand their support networks across various departments, schools, and colleges.