The Race, Culture, and Context Lab

 
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The Race, Culture, and Context (RC²) lab is a research group within the Department of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University.


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Our research focuses on the psychosocial, sociocultural, and contextual factors associated with health disparities and inequities among youth and young adults of African descent.

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What We Do

In conducting research in the mentioned areas, RC² has collaborated, partnered with, and/or received funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, and The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to name a few.

 
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RC² is led by Naomi Hall-Byers, PhD, MPH

 
Professor, Principal Investigator, and Director

Professor, Principal Investigator, and Director

Biography

Dr. Hall-Byers is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). She is an applied social psychologist, with an advanced degree in public health. As the Director of the RC² lab, her overarching program of research focuses on psychological, social, cultural, and contextual factors associated with health disparities and inequities among youth and emerging adults (YEAs) of African descent. A secondary line of research is exploring identity and contextual factors influencing the lived experiences of Black women in STEM fields. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health, American Psychological Association, University of California (San Francisco), and the University of North Carolina (Chapel-Hill). She is currently the Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator on three NSF funded projects. Dr. Hall-Byers received numerous awards for teaching and research, and was the 2018 recipient of the WSSU Wilveria B. Atkinson Distinguished Research Award. She has a BS in Health Sciences, MPH in Maternal and Child Health, and an MA and PhD in Applied Social Psychology.

Check out this NEW BOOK by our director!

Sexual Health and Black College Students:
Exploring the Sexual Milieu of HBCUs

  • This book explores the various psychosocial, sociocultural, and contextual factors that affect the sexual health of Black students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and how this environment can help develop strategies to improve sexual health outcomes for its students.

    The college environment provides young people with a new sense of independence, self-determination, and peer pressure to engage in risky sexual behaviors, and research has shown that Black students at HBCUs bear a disproportionate burden of poorer sexual health outcomes than students at predominately white institutions (PWIs). Uniquely focusing on the sexual milieu of Black students, Hall-Byers explains why a better understanding of these settings is needed to guide successful interventions that benefit and support the sexual health of Black students. Chapters compare data and research on sexual health outcomes of young Black men and women in comparison to those at predominately white institutions, as well as looking at the role of HBCU campus contexts and cultures, the potential psychosocial and sociocultural influences, what culturally responsive approaches may look like, and recommendations on how HBCU campuses can increase positive sexual health, such as through access, collaborative efforts among administrative offices, and reallocating resources.

    Sexual Health and Black College Students aims to advance the translation of culturally grounded research into effective practice and is essential reading for researchers and practitioners in sex therapy, public health, and social science as well as for college health staff, including nurses, student affairs, and campus wellness centers.

  • 1. Introduction

    2. HBCUs and Sexual Health: The Importance of Culture and Context

    3. The State of Black College Students' Sexual Health

    4. The Importance of Identity in Sexual Health

    5. Psychosocial Influences on Sexual Health

    6. Sociocultural Influences on Sexual Health

    7. Violence and Sexual Health: A Culture of Silence?

    8. Culturally Responsive Approaches to Sexual Health

    9. Sexual Health Promotion on HBCU Campuses

  • "Finally! The field of Black sexuality studies has a comprehensive narrative of the experiences of Black young adults who attend HBCUs. Hall-Byers meticulously constructs a research, clinical, and educational portrait that captures the complex behavioral and affective nuances that impacts sexual decision making of Black students. Indeed, this is a must read for all sexuality educators at HBCUs and PWIs."

    James C. Wadley, Ph.D., Lincoln University, USA

    "This book provides a better understanding of the sexual health needs of Black college students at HBCUs. The book explores the intersectionality of sex, race, and culture on public health outcomes for a marginalized, yet revered sub-population. This important context is critical to inform decisions about sex and relationships, and key for mitigating contextual factors in an effort to advance sexual health for Black students!"

    Thomas Alex Washington, Ph.D., professor and co-director, Center for Health Equity Research Institute, College of Health & Human Services, California State University, Long Beach, USA

    "This is a timely book that contextualizes the sexual health of Black college students, specifically at HBCUs. The integration of theory, research, applications, and practice by Dr. Hall-Byers draws readers attention and provides critical strategies to improve the sexual health of our students. I look forward to using this book in my courses!"

    Danielle Dickens, Ph.D., Spelman College, USA

    "This book is much needed and fills a very important gap that has long existed regarding the sexual health of Black College Students at the Intersections of their social identities, lived experiences, and the social environment. Hall-Byers successfully provides educators, researchers, administrators, and health professionals with valuable insights and knowledge that can assist their health education and health promotion activities when planning and delivering interventions for Black College Students at HBCU's. Grounded in a sex positive lens, this textbook also provides important factors to consider when addressing sexual health and the use of social justice informed approaches in order to prevent stigmatization and marginalization due to social identity."

    Yarneccia D. Dyson, PhD., University of North Carolina Greensboro, USA

VIDEO: Dr. Naomi Hall-Byers Discusses Research Findings

PRESS PLAY

 
 

Culturally Responsive Approaches to Promote Positive Sexual Health among Black College Students

In this video, Dr. Naomi Hall-Byers, Professor of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University, discusses research findings that support the need for more culturally responsive approaches to support positive sexual health behaviors and outcomes among Black students on HBCU campuses.

Contact us to learn more about RC²!