These are the team members you will have direct contact with during the study. They can answer any questions you may have.
Dr. Chalandra Bryant
Principal Investigator, Professor
Department of Family Social Science
[email protected]
My name is Chalandra Bryant. I’m a teacher and a researcher. Growing up, I lived all around the country, because my father was in the military and my family was transferred to various military bases. My husband and I don’t have any children. I have one sibling – a sister. She and my husband are (without a doubt) my best friends. I feel blessed to have them both in my life. I love hiking – regardless of the season. In the fall, the colors are magnificent, and I enjoy seeing leaves swaying in the wind. For me, there is something quiet and calming about winter hikes. I even like hiking in the rain, but it is sometimes difficult to get other people to come with me when sky is not bright and cheery. My husband actually proposed to me during a hike, and yes, it was a bright cheery day. Marital bonds can be strong, fragile, healthy, unhealthy, long-lasting, or short-lived. This project reflects my desire to help people, especially African Americans, maintain strong, healthy, long-lasting bonds. My parents have been married for over 50 years. They have their ups and their downs. They still protectively hold one another’s hand when they go out together. I hope that my husband and I continue to hold hands when we reach that milestone. That is something that I wish for every couple.
Dr. Elizabeth Wieling
Principal Investigator, Professor, Family Therapist
Department of Human Development and Family Science
[email protected]
My name is Liz Wieling. I am a Professor at the University of Georgia. My research interests include prevention interventions for populations affected by historical trauma and traumatic stress related to war and violence. I am committed to action research that addresses structural inequalities. I share a home with my life partner and my mother. I love to travel and watch documentaries. This project is important because it aims to improve the health and wellbeing of African American families.
Mr. Michael Curtis
Doctoral Candidate, Clinician
Department of Human Development and Family Science
My name is Michael Curtis and I’m a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia. I’m also a Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in working with Black American individuals, couples, and families. I live with my wonderful partner. We’ve been together for 6.5 years and have two fur-daughters (Velvet & Belle).I really love stories regardless of medium so you can always find me reading books, listening to podcasts, watching tv/movies, or reading graphic novels. I strongly believe that relationships rest at the center of individual’s health and wellbeing and that by supporting healthy relationships we are promoting the health of the individual, especially among African Americans. My hope is that this study will be attention to a highly overlooked aspect of the African American experience and give outsiders a greater understanding of our community.
Dr. Christiana Ibiola Awosan
Assistant Professor, Family Therapist
Department of Social Work & Marriage and Family Therapy
Greetings, everyone! My name is Christiana Ibilola Awosan. I'm an Assistant Professor at Iona College, in New Rochelle, NY. I also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My research looks on the effects of racism on all our lives across race. Specifically, I focus on the impact of racial trauma and sociocultural oppressions on the mental, emotional, and relational well-being of Black individuals, couples, and families. I come from a large family, so being in relationship with myself and others have always been my passion and what grounds me. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading and meditative walks. This project is important to me because one of the goals of my professional work is to improve the mental, emotional, and relational health of Black couples by empowering us with helping information that speaks to our experiences.
Ms. Čante Nakanishi
PhD Student, Couples and Family Therapist
Department of Family Social Science
My name is Čante Nakanishi. I am a PhD student in Family Social Science, specializing in Couples and Family Therapy, at the University of Minnesota. My work primarily focuses on mental health and wellbeing of parents and couples, within the American Indian community. Whenever I am not working, I love being outside (in all seasons), playing board games, watching TV, or listening to audiobooks. I live with my loving and supportive partner. We celebrated 12 years together this past summer. I am excited, and honored, to work on this project to promote resiliency, connection, and wellbeing within Black couples.
Ms. Doneila McIntosh
PhD Student, Clinician, Chaplain
Department of Family Social Science, CFT
Hi, my name is Doneila. I am a PhD student at the University of Minnesota in Family Social Science with a specialization in couple and family therapy. I am really looking forward to meeting you! I am married, my husband and I celebrate 15 years of marriage this year! We also have two kids, ages 12 and 10. My favorite hobby is to powerlift and to take long walks with my spouse. I am excited to work on this project because I am interested in the resiliency of African American couples and how these couples navigate stress together.
Ms. Kadija Mussa
PhD student, Clinician
Department of Family Social Science
My name is Kadija Mussa I am PhD student in Family Science in the couples and families track. I have clinical experience working with families, couples and individuals impacted by substance use. Currently in my study I am focused on gathering data on divorce decision-making. I am interested in this to make a difference in the lives of couples as a prevention method. I have been married for eight years and I have three amazing daughters who keep me busy. I currently reside and study at the University of MN. I have my mother/father and siblings near by which has been a blessing. I enjoy reading and talking to people. If I am not reading I am busy conversing. This project is important because it is a much needed research to focus on African American couples!
These are the team members working in the background.
Dr. Allan Tate
Assistant Professor, Social Epidemiologist
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Greetings, my name is Allan Tate, and I am a social epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Georgia, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. I celebrated my 10-year anniversary this year with my life partner and am a loving son of two parents and my younger brother who I enjoy living close to again in the southeast after some years living in the Midwest. A new passion of mine is gardening that has been a source of mental health and stress release in caring for and in watching my garden grow and thrive. This project is important in that I care about learning how to support healthy couple and family relationships.
Dr. Deadric Williams
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
My name is Deadric Williams. I am an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Tennesee. My research interests include race & racism, Black families, stress & health, poverty & economic hardship, and quantitative methods. I am married with four kids. I've been married for nine years. I enjoy traveling, cycling, and trying new single-malt scotch. This project is important to me because it helps capture the nuances of Black family life.