To be whole, Smith-Wade-El, Rita, 1948-2018, Teachers, Black, African American teachers, Millersville University of Pennsylvania--Alumni and alumnae, Hurston, Zora Neale, Women, Black, African American women, Representation (Philosophy), Belonging (Social psychology), Authenticity (Philosophy), African American psychologists, Educators, African American women, Women, Black, African Americans, Trustees of Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Inclusivity, Mentoring
Recorded at home, Dr. Amber M. Sessoms discusses Millersville University of Pennsylvania's professor of psychology and African-American Studies Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El's (1948-2018) influence on her life and career. As a student of Dr. Smith-Wade-El while studying at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Sessoms discusses their mentorship relationship and how she incorporates the legacy of Dr. Smith-Wade-El in her everyday work. Dr. Smith-Wade-El encouraged Dr. Sessoms to be fully seen as a Black woman in predominately white spaces within Central Pennsylvania. Dr. Sessoms describes herself as a wife, mother of three girls with #blackgirlmagic, Principal and Chief Visionary Officer of Natural Inclination LLC, nationally certified school psychologist, adult educator, narrative disruptor, meaning maker, and a radical connector.