Brief History
Overview
The American Psychological Association Council of Representatives voted to establish the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (Division 45) in August 1986. This represented the culmination of decades of efforts to integrate ethnic minority psychology into the American Psychological Association.
The Society has been instrumental in the development and support of several ongoing programs that had seeds in the initiatives of Former Society Presidents. Vera Paster founded the mentoring program, “Links and Shoulders.” Many of the Society’s rituals and traditions used during Executive Committee meetings and awards ceremonies were introduced by Executive Committee Members such as Patricia Arredondo who initiated a spiritual Mestizo ceremony and Joseph Trimble who introduced the Native American Indian Talking Stick ceremony.
During the second decade of the Society, we have doubled the number of our Council Representatives from one to two. Starting in 1999, and continuing in alternate years, Division 45 has been a major sponsor and organizer of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit. The Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues continues to grow and now has more than 1,600 members. Many of our founding members are still active in the governance of the division, providing the collective memory that allows us to mentor newer members and continue our progress.
One of the initial goals of the Society was to “Promote the study of ethnicity and culture in psychology”. Initially, this goal was achieved through scholarly presentations at the APA annual convention. The goal of development of an official divisional journal was realized in 1998 with the establishment of Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
Many of the first dreams of the Division have become realities. We know we still have far to go. The growth of the Society reflects the strength of our membership and the continued potential to achieve as we pause to celebrate, remember, honor, and consider how far we have come since the Division’s founding in 1986.
Past Presidents
Helen H. Hsu
2023
Kevin Cokley
2022
Evie Garcia
2021
Art Blume
2020
Alvin Alvarez
2019
Helen Neville
2018
Enedina Vazquez
2017
Jackie Gray
2016
The primary focus of my presidential term was on raising the awareness of the contributions of ethnic minorities to the field of psychology. There were presentations on indigenous contributions to Maslow’s, Jung’s, Erickson’s, and Sherif and Sherif’s work that had never been acknowledged. We were also able to increase the number of Native American fellows in APA by 50%.
One of the most long lasting contributions was the establishment of the TIAA investment fund so we were able to earn more on the funds we were not using and become more financially stable than when I came into office.
We also established the Division 45 Biennial Conference as a part of Division 45.
Stanley Sue
2015
Examine what works in research, theory, and practice; how far we have advanced in truly integrating culture, ethnicity and race into psychology and society; and the impact of research and practice on social justice, racism, and privilege. Present findings at the Division 45 APA Convention Program, Cultural Competency: What works in research, theory, and practice? Enact policies and procedures to increase the Division’s efficiency, transparency, and financial sustainability.
William E. Cross, Jr.
2014
Expanded the EC to incorporate two new voting members: A person of color representing LGBTQ Community and a person representing Arab-Americans. Saw the revamping of the D45 Webpage.
Luis A. Vazquez
2013
Development of a Division 45 online repository of diversity literature in psychology. Promoting the contributions of psychology and diversity to the STEM fields. Sustaining the division’s commitment to the pipeline of psychologists at all levels.
Justin (Doug) McDonald
2011–2012
“Putting Diversity into Leadership Action.” Established a Governance Committee to promote diversity in APA governance. Revived previous efforts to re-name the division because of U.S. demographic changes, and oversaw process till completion.
Jean Lau Chin
2010–2011
Diversity and Leadership Initiative to promote division 45 leadership. Celebration of Division 45’s 25th Anniversary and logo pin for induction of past-presidents.
Robert M. Sellers
2009–2010
Initiated Inaugural Division 45 Conference.
J. Manuel Casas
2008-2009
Advocated for greater attention to immigration and children.
Beth Boyd
2007–2008
Established Council of Past Presidents.
Frederick Leong
2006–2007
Launched Division 45 Book Series, Established Task Force for Scientific Affairs, Presidential Citations for leading psychological scientists from Division 45.
Toy Caldwell-Colbert
2005–2006
Organized a national conference on immigration, in collaboration with Division 35. Celebration of Division 45’s 20th anniversary.
Eduardo Morales
2004–2005
Developed proposal for a conference on evidence-based interventions and developed five-year (2005-10) strategic plan for Division 45.
Steven James
2003–2004
Brought attention to people of mixed races and their families, and to historical abuse of people of color.
Jeffery Mio
2002–2003
Built bridges with allies, using a broader definition of diversity.
A.J. Franklin
2001–2002
Attended United Nations World Conference and advocated on behalf of Division 45 against racism in Durham, South Africa at the United Nations World Conference.
Patricia Arrendondo
2000–2001
Collaborated with several APA divisions on multicultural and diversity initiatives, introduced spiritual Mestizo ceremony during division business meetings.
Joseph Trimble
1999–2000
Introduced Talking Stick ceremony, student involvement in division governance, division recognition of outstanding student poster presentations, Division 45 website, initiated a royalty procedure where book authors and editors contribute a percent of their royalties to the division.
Derald Wing Sue
1998–1999
Initiatives on multicultural competencies and dissemination of ethnic minority scholarship, Inaugural National Multicultural Conference & Summit.
Lisa Porche-Burke
1997–1998
Sponsored scholarly discussion on Ebonics.
Guillermo Bernal
1996–1997
Oversaw launching of official division journal, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
Charles Pine
1995–1996
Instituted culturally-based Division 45 traditions and rituals.
Gordon Nagayama Hall
1994–1995
Developed a strategic plan to increase membership, add an APA COR seat, elect an ethnic minority president of APA, and establish an official division journal.
Vera Paster
1993–1994
Founded Links & Shoulders, a mentorship program.
Amado Padilla
1991–1993
Established a Publications Committee to plan for an official division journal.
Teresa LaFromboise
1990–1991
Appointed a Task Force on Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Concerns and a Task Force on Women.
Dalmas Taylor
1988–1989
Initiated membership drive to increase division membership.
Chalso Loo and John Moritsugu
1987–1988
Established divisional infrastructure and regularities.
Esteban Olmedo
1986-1987
Defined and developed organizational characteristics, structure and functions of the new division.