Contributions of Black Psychology Scholars to Models of Racism and Health: Applying Intersectionality to Center Black Women

Although theoretical and empirical research on the impact of racism on the mental and physical health of African Americans is well established in the literature, there is still a dearth of research that focuses on the role of the intersection of racism and sexism, or gendered racism, on the health of Black women. The purpose of this article is threefold: (a) to review the foundational contributions of Black psychologists to the study of racism and health, (b) to highlight the intellectual contributions of Black feminist scholars to the study of intersectionality in psychology, and (c) to apply an intersectionality framework to research on racism and health by introducing a conceptual Biopsychosocial Model of Gendered Racism to better understand the impact of gendered racism on Black women's health and well-being. This article ends with recommendations for future research, clinical practice, and social justice advocacy centered on Black women's health.