Micah L. McCreary

Trauma and Race

This book is about trauma-informed counseling with racially traumatized African (Black), Latino/a/x, Asian, and Native (Indigenous) Americans (ALANAs). ALANAs face the difficulties of systemic racism and experiences of trauma.? Any attempt by trauma-informed professionals to help or heal must consider the intersection of race and trauma.? Counselors working with race and trauma must use a trauma-informed blueprint to address trauma issues. Comprehending the components and intersectionality of trauma and race is critical to healing and strengthening hurting people, particularly ALANAs.?The book explores the matters of race and trauma through discussions of sociological issues; the intersectionality of race, gender, and class; and benign neglect of ALANAs.

This book makes an important contribution to the conversation on race and trauma because its purpose is to equip healers with the tools necessary to assist individuals, families, groups, and communities to heal from abuse, discrimination, and maltreatment.

HONORS AND AWARDS

1. John Henry Livingston Professor of Theology (2018-date)
2. RCA General Synod Professor (2021-date)
3. Outstanding Leadership in Queens, The Board of Director of the Queens Federation of Churches (2019)
4. 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University.
5. Member, Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012.
6. American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow 2006-2007, Longwood University; Mentor: Dr. Patricia Cormier, President.
7. CUMU/ACE Fellow Award 2006-2007.
8. 2006 African American Alumni Council Outstanding Alumni Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
9. Elske v.P. Smith Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2000.
10. Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 1998.
11. Gimbel Child and Family Fellow, Gimbel Child and Family Scholar Award Program, New London, Connecticut, 1996-1997.
12. Philadelphia Child Guidance Center, Internship in Child Clinical Psychology (APA Approved), Philadelphia, PA., 1992-1993.
13. Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program, Virginia State Council of Higher Education,1989-1992. Awarded $30,000.
14. Central State Hospital, Externship in Adolescent Psychology, Petersburg, VA, 1991-1992.
15. Graduate Fellow, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1988-1991.
16. Minority Fellowship Program, American Psychological Association, 1991. Awarded $10,000.
17. Outstanding Counseling Graduate Student Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1992.
18. Joan Dallum Graduate Student Research Award, Association of College Personnel Administrator, Commission VII, 1991.
19. Summer Dissertation Workshop for Minority Students Engaged in the Study of Urban Underclass, sponsored by the Social Science Research Council, held at the University of California Los Angeles, Summer 1990.
20. Humanities and Sciences Distinguished Service Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1991.
21. Graduate Fellowship, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 1986-1987.
22. National Dean’s List, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA, 1985-1986.
23. Who’s Who Among College and University Students, 1986.
24. Outstanding Young Men of America, 1984.

EMPLOYMENT

1. President and John Henry Livingston Professor of Theology, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 2017-date
2. President, McCreary and Madison Associates Incorporated, Highland Park NJ, 2014-date
3. Pastor and Teacher, Spring Creek Baptist Church, Moseley, Virginia, 2001-2017
4. Associate Director and Clinical Director, Human Resources Incorporated, Richmond, Virginia, 2014-2016
5. Associate Professor (tenured), Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychology, Richmond, VA, 2000-2014
6. Co-Director of Counseling Training, Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychology, Richmond, Virginia, 2008-2011
7. Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Office of Academic Affairs, Richmond, Virginia, 2003-2005
8. Quality Enhancement Plan Coordinator, Virginia Commonwealth University, Office of Academic Affairs, Richmond, Virginia, 2004-2005
9. Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychology, Richmond, Virginia, 1993-2000
10. Director, Counseling and Student Development Center    Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia, 1987-1988
11. Pastor, Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, Sandston, Virginia, 1986-1989
12. Director, Division of Youth, Baptist General Convention of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 1983-1986
13. Computer Consultant II, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1982-1983
14. Academic Programmer, Wayne County Community College/System and Computer Technology Inc., Detroit, Michigan, 1981-1982

Connecting and Consulting

I have the honor of traveling the world speaking on the intersection of mental health and spirituality.

I spent 16 years with my spouse pastoring the Spring Creek Baptist Church in Moseley, Virginia.

Prior to Spring Creek I was Director of Youth Ministry for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia and Senior Pastor of the Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church of Sandston, Virginia.

PUBLIC CONVERSATION

2021

1. Pilgrimages of Striving and Thriving: Produced jointly by Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society and Good Faith Media, this podcast explores how Black pastoral leaders in the United States flourish in their various ministerial contexts.
2. Lavish Hope: Overcoming the Unexpected
3. The Uncertainty of Now and Humility Christ Presbyterian church, Richmond Virginia
4. Faith, Trauma, and Resilience: First Things First, First Reformed Church, Byron, Michigan With Andy Bossardet
5. Unpacking Hate: Race. Resistance. Resilience.

BLOGS

President’s Blog #11 – Uncertainty of Now and Humility

President’s Blog #10 – Liminal Space Prayer

President’s Blog #9 – The Holy Pause of Holy Saturday 

President’s Blog 6 – 2019 – Direction and Discernment

President’s Blog 7 – Pain and Joy as Healing Waters

President’s Blog 8- Prayer for Healing – 2 Chronicles 7:14

President’s Blog – Crucial Conversation about Current Issues

President’s Blog 2 – Good and Evil: Our Constant Companions and Instructors

President’s Blog 3 – Turning This World Upside Down and Inside Out – Part 1

President’s Blog 4 – Turning This World Upside Down and Inside Out – Part 2

President’s Blog 5 – Facts, Fiction, and Faith: Legalization of Marijuana in New Jersey

CURRENT SCHOLARLY SPECIALIZATION

Currently, my four research, teaching, and clinical foci are: (1) The Integration of Trauma, Psychology, and Spirituality; (2) The Influence of Culture on Health; (3) Psychological Interventions with Family and Community; and (4) Mental Health Treatment among Substance Using and Abusing Individuals and Communities.

Background

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Rev. Dr. Micah L. McCreary began his term as the 12th president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 2017.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan; a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University; and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has received several fellowships, including the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship, the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia Fellowship, and the American Council on Education Presidential Fellowship.

Prior to coming to NBTS, President McCreary was president and CEO of McCreary and Madison Associates, a psychological and human resources consulting firm headquartered in Richmond, VA. He also served as a tenured Associate Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for 21 years. While at VCU, President McCreary held the positions of Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity, Quality Enhancement Plan Coordinator, and Co-Director of the Counseling Psychology Program. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on topics such as Trauma and Race: The Path to Psycho-Social-Spiritual Wellbeing; Church Hurt and Suicidal Ideation: What the Church Should and Shouldn’t Say and Do; and The Holy Pause of Holy Saturday 

President McCreary is a member of the New Brunswick Classis of the Reformed Church in America (RCA).  He was ordained by the New Hope Baptist Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan (member of the National Baptist Convention), and his ordination was recognized by the American Baptist Churches in 2001 and received by the RCA in 2018. In 2021 President McCreary was installed as an RCA General Synod Professor of Theology.

CONSULTING

Psychological Consultant, TAG Services, Richmond, Virginia, 2016-2017
Pastoral Psychologist Consultant, Samuel Dewitt Proctor, School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia, 2001-2017
Psychological Consultant, Human Resource Incorporated, Richmond, Virginia, 2010-2016
Senior Consultant, Associated Behavioral Outcomes and Developmental Experts of Virginia, 2009-2010

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS

1. Reformed Church in American, General Synod Professor (Elected October 2021)
2. Minister of Word and Sacrament, Reformed Church in America (2018)
3. NCC AP National Certified Master Addiction Counselor (2016)
4. Dialectical Behavioral Therapist Certified (DBTC), Dialectical Behavior Therapy National Certification and Accreditation Association (2015)
5. Ordination Received by American Baptist Churches, USA (2001)
6. Clinical Psychology (1996), Virginia License #0810002138.
7. Ordained Christian Minister (1984), New Hope Baptist Church, Ann Arbor, MI., National Baptist Convention, USA

DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE

1. Member, Commission of Theology, Reformed Church in American (2021 – date)
2. Organizing Member, Pastoral Formation Oversite Board, Reformed Church in American, Grand Rapids, MI (2018 – date)
3. Member New Brunswick Classis (2018 – date)
4. Member, Commissioned Pastor Advisory Team, Reformed Church in American, Grand Rapids, MI (2017 – date)

NATIONAL SERVICE

1. Board Member, Salvation and Social Justice (https://sandsj.org/home), 2021- date.
2. Board Member, Black Community Watch Line, New Brunswick New Jersey, 2021 – date.
3. Board Member, Minority Fellowship Program, American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.; 2014 – 2020.
4. Initial Review Committee, Minority Fellowship Program, American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.; 2004-2014.

Recent Grants

Principal Investigator/Senior Consultant, Micah L. McCreary; Co-Investigator/Program Director, Gihane Jeremie-Brink, and Director of Assessment, Terry A. Smith, WELL Program (Jan 2021- December 2025). Lilly Endowment Incorporation. Awarded $927,462.00.

Principal Investigator, Micah L. McCreary; Co-Investigators, Gihane Jeremie-Brink, Jacqueline E. Madison-McCreary, and Terry A. Smith, Partnership in Resiliency in Ministry (PRIM) Planning Grant (2020). Lilly Endowment Incorporation. Awarded $43,000.

Principal Investigator, Micah L. McCreary; Co-Investigators, Faye Belgrave and Kevin Allison, Project IMPACT: A Family Based Psychoeducational Prevention Project for Substance Abusing Families (1998). Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).  Awarded $1,240,400.

Principal Investigator, Micah L. McCreary, Promoting breast cancer prevention behaviors in rural African-American women: A comparative analysis (1994). Massey Cancer Center (MCV-VCU) and American Cancer society. Awarded $8,500.

McCreary, M. L. (September 2023). Trauma and Race: A Path to Wellbeing. Minneapolis MN: Fortress.