During Black History Month, I want to shine a spotlight on some of the Black individuals who have shaped the field of child life by advancing knowledge, clinical practices, and the pursuit of equality for all. Child life students and aspiring professionals can broaden their understanding of supporting children and families with varying racial identities by learning from these influential figures.

Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark & Dr. Kenneth Clark 

Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark and Dr. Kenneth Clark, the first Black Americans to earn doctorates of philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology from Columbia University and are best known for their “Doll Tests,” which revealed the psychological harm of racial segregation on Black children. Their groundbreaking research played a crucial role in the Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court case and highlighted the impact of systemic racism on identity and self-worth. For child life students and those looking to enter the field of child life, the Clark’s work offers insights into how racial trauma can shape a child’s emotional and psychological development, providing a framework for addressing issues like self-esteem, identity, and resilience in the face of adversity. By understanding and applying the Clark’s research, students can better support children from diverse backgrounds, identify signs of internalized racism, and implement culturally competent child life interventions that help children cope with social factors beyond the hospital setting.

 Read more about the Doll Test here.

Dr. Evelyn Moore

Dr. Evelyn Moore, a key figure in the Perry Preschool Project and the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), dedicated her career to advocating for high-quality early education for Black children. Her work emphasized the importance of mastering cognitive development and the need for well-trained educators. In the field of child life, Dr. Moore’s advocacy encourages students to gain a deep understanding of cognitive development in children. By understanding and assessing children’s cognitive development, child life students can effectively explain diagnoses, hospital expectations, and coping strategies using developmentally appropriate language. This knowledge also enables students to advocate for patients based on cognitive assessments and collaborate with other professionals, such as nurses and teachers, to create interventions that address both cognitive and physical well-being. Furthermore, by incorporating Dr. Moore’s emphasis on early intervention into care plans, students can apply her work to support at-risk children in hospital settings, ensuring that interventions are both culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate.

Read more about Dr. Moore here.

Patricia Hill Collins

Patricia Hill Collins is an influential scholar in sociology, feminist theory, and race studies, known for her work on intersectionality- the idea that aspects of identity such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexuality intersect to shape experiences of privilege or oppression. Collins’ work offers valuable insights for child life students by encouraging individuals to recognize the complex factors that impact how children and families experience hospitalization. By applying an intersectional lens, students can learn how to provide interventions and support that take into account not only physical and mental health but also the unique challenges shaped by identity. Patricia Collins’ emphasis on empowerment and social justice guides students to address broader societal factors, enabling them to advocate for the well-being of children and families, especially those from historically underrepresented communities.

Learn more about her work here.

Dr. James P. Comer

Dr. James P. Comer, a renowned psychiatrist and educator, is known for developing the Comer School Development Program, which emphasizes the importance of addressing children’s emotional, social, and academic growth in a supportive environment. His work highlights the critical role of addressing societal factors such as racism and economic inequality, which significantly impact children’s emotional well-being. Child life students can draw on Dr. Comer’s work as a valuable resource that aligns with the core values of the child life profession, particularly in addressing the negative impact of stress and trauma on children’s development, health, and overall well-being. His focus on emotional and social development reinforces the key principles of child life, encouraging students to develop care plans that support children’s emotional healing in healthcare settings. By emphasizing the importance of advocacy, education, and prevention, Dr. Comer’s work provides child life students with the tools to create environments where play and other developmentally appropriate interventions promote optimal growth. 

Learn more about his work here.

Dr. Ibram X Kendi

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is a leading historian, educator, and scholar on anti-racism, known for his bestselling book How to Be an Antiracist, which offers a transformative framework for understanding and confronting racism. As the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, Kendi’s work is a vital resource for those in fields serving diverse individuals and families, including child life. His teachings encourage child life students to critically examine their own biases and gain a deeper understanding of how racism operates within institutions. By utilizing Kendi’s framework, students can develop the necessary skills to advocate for systemic change and reflect on how institutional policies may affect the emotional, social, and cultural experiences of children and families in healthcare settings. Dr. Kendi’s work can inspire students to create more inclusive and culturally responsive care environments, fostering an equitable approach to child life practice from the start of their careers.

Learn more about him here.

Let's recognize these Black innovators whose groundbreaking work has paved the way for greater understanding, equity, and compassion within the field of child life. Their lasting contributions continue to inspire and empower child life specialists to provide care that is inclusive, culturally competent, and centered on the overall well-being of every child and family.