To celebrate Black History Month the Portland State University School of Social Work would like to recognize our Black faculty by sharing some of their scholarly work, along with other resources for the public.
Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNHL) developed Negro History Week in 1925 to raise awareness of African American contributions to civilization. The event was later expanded to the entire month of February by President Gerald R. Ford in 1976. Black History Month is important because African American communities are still underrepresented in the framework of the United States. Racialized violence remains an unsolved problem and American students still don’t learn enough about Black history in their formal education.
The 2024 Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts,” exploring the key influence African Americans have in the fields of "visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression."
Below each post we’ll share a list of Black History Month resources and events both for PSU and nationally. Today’s post highlights the scholarship of Taylor Geyton, PhD, MSW.
Dr. Taylor Geyton, Ph.D., LCSW
Dr. Taylor Geyton is an accomplished academic and social justice advocate with a profound commitment to advancing health equity and addressing the intricate intersections of racialized and gendered systems of oppression. Her career is marked by a dedication to research, education, and community engagement in the pursuit of liberation, racial, and social justice.
Education and Academic Career:
Dr. Geyton earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work from Morgan State University in 2021, a pivotal milestone in her academic journey. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State University, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her teaching and research.
Research Expertise:
Dr. Geyton's research program is centered on themes of resistance and dissent, which significantly contribute to the understanding of disparate health and mental health outcomes among marginalized racial and gender groups. Her pioneering work encompasses a shift from resilience to resistance in the context of social justice, the impact of resistance on health outcomes, and the development of resistance-based interventions, particularly concerning mental and behavioral health. Notably, her research includes a pilot project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), examining the complex relationship between psychological and physiological stress responses among Black women activists in the United States.
She has received recognition for her groundbreaking work, including the prestigious CSWE Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity Doctoral Student Award in 2020 for her qualitative study exploring the experiences of Black women activists in the face of social and political erasure. Her commitment to generating findings that directly inform policies, practices, and interventions underscores her mission to catalyze positive change and contribute to a more equitable society.
Publications and Ongoing Projects:
Dr. Geyton's scholarly impact extends to her publications, including two manuscripts currently under review, based on the findings of her dissertation. She continues to drive forward three ongoing research projects focused on Black women's activism, employing a contextual framework developed from her foundational work. These projects encompass the examination of biomarkers of allostatic load, the development of activist identity, and the role of relationships among Black women activists in promoting health and well-being.
Community Engagement and Mentorship:
In addition to her research pursuits, Dr. Geyton actively engages with the community through evaluative projects and program evaluations. She is currently the Principal Investigator for a program evaluation with the Multnomah County Department of Health and a Co-Investigator on a Data Equity Mapping Project through the Washington County Health Department. These endeavors reflect her commitment to creating tangible change where it matters most. Dr. Geyton is also an appointed member of the Health Equity Committee; an advisory Board to the Oregon Health Authority where she lends her expertise in health equity to health policy makers.
Furthermore, Dr. Geyton has established two research labs, "Research for Health Equity and Resistance (Research for HE.R)" and "Scholarship-Praxis on Health and the Embodiment of Resistance and Equity (SPHERE) Research," aimed at training and mentoring minoritized researchers in quantitative, qualitative, community-based, and participatory research methods. Her dedication to fostering the development of future social workers and researchers underscores her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Pedagogy and Teaching Philosophy:
Dr. Geyton's teaching philosophy is rooted in critical, collective, and collaborative learning processes. She is committed to excellence in social work education, cultivating critical thinking skills among her students. With expertise in areas such as social work practice, research methods, social justice, and social welfare policy, she encourages students to engage in independent and collective learning processes, challenging social structures and inequities.
Clinical Practice and Advocacy:
As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Dr. Geyton has dedicated herself to clinical practice that embodies liberatory and anti-colonial frameworks, particularly in mental health treatment for Black women. Her private therapy practice operates from a holistic and liberation-focused framework, celebrating diverse identities and fostering authenticity. She has 12 years of experience working in the mental health field with children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive training in trauma-informed, and trauma-focused treatment modalities.
Professional Contributions:
Dr. Geyton's professional contributions extend to her involvement in various committees and councils at the institutions where she has served, such as James Madison University and Portland State University. Her dedication to excellence in service to the community, university, and the School of Social Work is exemplified by her active participation in these committees.
Future Endeavors:
Looking ahead, Dr. Geyton has ambitious plans to establish a "Center for Resistance and Health Equity Studies" at an institution where she can further her interdisciplinary approach to research and collaboration. She seeks to continue her ongoing projects, build relationships across departments, and provide transformational learning experiences to students while promoting culturally responsive and justice-oriented social work practice.
Dr. Taylor Geyton's unwavering commitment to social justice, health equity, and the empowerment of marginalized communities makes her a distinguished scholar, educator, and practitioner in the field of social work. Her research, teaching, and community engagement efforts stand as a testament to her dedication to creating a more just and equitable society.
For inquiries or collaborations, please contact Dr. Geyton at tgeyton@pdx.edu.
Below are several resources and events for Black History Month 2024:
PSU
National