Dr. Joseph L. White enjoyed a distinguished career in the field of psychology and mental health as a teacher, mentor, administrator, clinical supervisor, writer, consultant, and practicing psychologist. He was professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at UC Irvine. A pioneer of the field of Black Psychology, he helped found the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi). White also helped found the California's Educational Opportunities Program (EOP), which became a program implemented across the California State University campuses. He received the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Association of Black Psychologists, the Citation of Achievement in Psychology and Community Service from President Clinton in 1994, and the Helms award for mentoring from the Winter Roundtable. In 2015, he was awarded a Presidential Citation by APA for his distinguished career as a psychologist devoted to social justice. In 2017, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Psychological Association. The Godfather of Black Psychology joined the ancestors on Nov. 21, 2017 at the age of 84.
