Tell us more about who you all are and what you do?

Dr. Erlanger (Earl) Turner is a leading psychologist, author, and researcher specializing in race and culture, with a focus on enhancing mental health outcomes for marginalized communities. As a tenured faculty member at Pepperdine University, Dr. Turner combines his expertise in psychology with a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals in diverse cultural contexts, and help prepared students who aspire to be therapists and psychologists to enter their careers.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Turner is the founder of Therapy for Black Kids, an initiative dedicated to promoting mental wellness in Black children and families. Through this platform, he provides educational workshops, valuable resources and support to help dismantle the stigma around mental health in the Black community.

With a unique blend of research, practical application, and advocacy, Dr. Turner is an essential voice in the conversation about cultural competence in mental health care and promoting well-being in diverse communities.

What inspired your new book, Raising Resilient Black Kids?

The need for this book grew after the racial uprising in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. While racism and oppression against Black people has been an issue in America and across the globe for a long time, I noticed that few books were available for Black families around this topic. I was doing a lot of work in the community around helping families navigate this difficult topic with their child. This led me to the idea that it would great to create a resource for parents. Specifically, creating a book on the importance of having the “race talk” and offering practical tools parents could use to help children thrive in the midst of living in a society where racial discrimination can lead to poor mental health such as increased anxiety and risk for suicide. 

Why do you feel it’s important to equip parents with these tools?

This is a great question. For many parents, it is challenging to know when to talk with children about racial discrimination and what to say to increase resilience. There is often a myth that children are naturally resilience and will overcome challenges as they age. While age can contribute to developing skills to adapt to the environment, resilience requires action. The tools in this book provide parents with the foundation to support their child’s emotional well-being, engage in racial socialization, and promote civic engagement and activism.  

How can fathers support their child when they face racial bullying or harassment?

Fathers can play a critical role in supporting their child. I think one important way fathers can support their child is by teaching them to express themselves when they encounter racial bullying or discrimination. This is especially important for them to do with their sons. Often in society, boys are not taught that it is acceptable to share their feelings so they bottle up their emotions or let out their hurt in anger towards others. Fathers can model healthy ways to express feelings and cope with problems that result from racial bullying. Fathers can also teach their child how to respond to racial bullying. Kids often are caught off guard in situations and don’t know what to say. Fathers can equip children with verbal comebacks counter racial bullying.

How can fathers prepare their child to emotionally cope with future incidents of racism?

Children often learn how to cope in situations watching their parents. Fathers can teach healthy coping skills to help their child in future situations. It can be useful to model for children how to express their feelings by using their words. For example, if the child gets upset about being mistreated by others you can show them what to say why they feel upset and how to calm themselves down instead of expressing their anger in an unhealthy way. 

Assuming you implement these practices with your children, what successes have you seen?

The practices in my book build on decades of psychological science. Through my Healing Emotions and Anxiety through Liberation (HEAL) method, the strategies offer evidence-supported practices that have been shown to decrease stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, promote racial literacy, and increase kids understanding of the importance of engaging in activism. The book highlights case examples throughout to help parents explore how these strategies can also be successful for their families. 

Any struggles when it comes to working on these things with your children? 

While the practices and content in the book is helpful, there can be some challenges. One of the things parents need to be prepared for is that children, may not pick up on how to use the coping skills and journal prompts right away. Just like learning anything new, repetition is important. It is helpful to create a plan to practice the skills with your child so they can be easier for them to use over time with less assistance from adults. 

Define what “Legacy” means to you? 

As a clinical psychologist and Black man, legacy is intertwined with the empowerment and growth of the individuals and communities I serve. I view legacy as a continuum—it’s not just what we accomplish during our lifetime, but how our efforts resonate long after we’re gone, influencing and uplifting others.

What are the top three takeaways you want readers to get from your book?

The top three takeaways from the book are: (1) the book emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong sense of cultural identity. Parents are encouraged to help children celebrate their heritage to build pride and confidence in their Black identity, (2) the book provides strategies for discussing race and racism with children. By preparing your child to understand and navigate societal challenges, parents can equip them with the tools they need to thrive, (3) the book highlights practical tools to build resilience using a holistic approach that empowers children to practice self-care and use their strengths to cope in the face of obstacles.  

How can our readers connect with you, follow you, etc?

You can learn more about my work on my website (https://www.drerlangerturner.com) or connect with Therapy for Black Kids on Instagram or Facebook. 

Where can people get the book?

The book can be purchased at major online retailers or from the New Harbinger website (https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648483011/raising-resilient-black-kids/).