Division VII: Diversity & Social Justice Division of CPA

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Division VII: Diversity & Social Justice Division of CPA

The Diversity & Social Justice Division focuses on advancing diversity & social justice in California

08/20/2026

Please join us in congratulating the Division VII 2026 Student Award Winners. 🎉

We had an amazing group of almost 50 students apply between the two awards. Below are the winners as voted on by the 2026 Division VII Board of Directors.

🏆Our first award is the 2026 CPA Convention Scholarship.
Established by Division VII's 2024 Chair Dr. Thelemaque, this award recognizes a student who is passionate about psychological research, utilizes practices that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and who could use funding assistance in attending this year's CPA Convention.

This award was given to Arteshni Devi, a PhD student at Alliant University who is presenting her poster, “Navigating Tridimensional Acculturation and Stress Among Indo-Fijian Immigrants in the U.S.A.” at the 2026 CPA Convention.

With the support of CPA Division I, the 2026 DEI Award 🏆 was able to be given to SIX students. Established by our Past Chair Dr. Malla last year in response to the American Psychological Association's accreditation board suspending their DEI requirements, this award recognizes psychology graduate students who exemplify the mission of Division VII: to advance the vision of CPA by increasing diversity within the profession, providing resources on diversity for the CPA membership and the public, and promoting a social justice perspective within psychology and their own life experience.

Lydia Cho: PhD Student at Biola University
Alejandro Fernandez: PsyD Student at The Wright Institute
Valencia Lagbo: PhD Student at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Nsa Ntuk: PsyD Student Alliant University
Mayowa Ogunmakinwa: PsyD Student at The Wright Institute
Jean Pauline Serrano: PhD at the University of California, Santa Barbara

Thank you to all the amazing students who applied. We hope to see you all at the CPA Conference in Sacramento in September.

08/19/2026

We're very excited about the CPA Convention in Sacramento and want to give a special shout out to the Thursday Pre-Convention Diversity Institute, which is organized by Division VII. We encourage you to attend this forward-thinking live presentation to help build your cultural competence and humility and inform your practice as therapists, supervisors, and educators.

Thursday Pre-Convention
Diversity Institute
"Feminist LGBTQ-Affirming Psychotherapy, S*x Therapy, and Clinical Supervision in the Modern Age"
Thu, Sep 24th, 2026
1:30 pm - 5:50 pm (4 CE credits)
bit.ly/CPAdiversity

This course will dive into modern feminist and LGBTQ-affirming psychotherapy, s*x therapy, and clinical supervision for clinicians working with diverse clients and trainees.

Presenters:

Mimi Hoang, Ph.D. (she/her)
Division VII Chair
“S*x-Positive and Body Positive Psychotherapy through an Intersectional Gender and S*xual Liberation Lens” (80 min)

Harpreet Malla, Ph.D. (she/they)
Division VII Past Chair
“Queer & Neurodiverse-Affirming S*xual Health & Wellness” (80 min)

Franca Niameh, Psy.D., MSCP (she/her)
Division VII Chair-Elect
"Closing & Integration: From Awareness to Application: LGBTQ+ Affirming Clinical Supervision Skills for Working Across Gender and S*xual Diversity" (80 min)

More convention info at: cpapsych.org/page/24

We hope to see you at the Diversity Institute!

08/16/2026

Meet yours truly - the writer of most of these posts; the Membership Chair of Division VII.

A little bit about me:

Leryn Messori, PsyD, graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara and currently works at The Wise Mind Institute as the Director of Operations, a Supervisor, and a Staff Psychologist. Leryn has been on the board of the Alameda County Psychological Association (ACPA) as President and other roles for the past 5 years and spearheaded ACPA walking in Oakland Pride for the first time last year. This is her second year as the Membership Chair of CPA Division VII. Leryn loves crafting, reading horror novels, supporting her LGBTQ+ community, and playing with her two kids.

07/14/2026

Division VII Membership & DEI Leaders Meeting
Thu, Jul 23rd, 2026
9:00am - 9:55am on Zoom
Register at: bit.ly/Div7meeting2

In continuing Division VII's 2026 theme "Stronger Together," we're hosting our 2nd virtual Membership & DEI Leaders Meetings so that members can learn more about our Division, meet other members, and share updates on DEI initiatives within our profession. At our summer meeting, Division leaders will provide updates on Division events and programs, bylaws voting, and members will have an opportunity to check-in and discuss announcements, needs, and concerns. Membership meetings are open to all Division VII members and especially Diversity Chairs of local Chapters.

Division VII Membership & DEI Leaders Meeting
Thu, Jul 23rd, 2026
9:00am - 9:55am on Zoom
Register at: bit.ly/Div7meeting2

In continuing Division VII's 2026 theme "Stronger Together," we're hosting our 2nd virtual Membership & DEI Leaders Meetings so that members can learn more about our Division, meet other members, and share updates on DEI initiatives within our profession. At our summer meeting, Division leaders will provide updates on Division events and programs, bylaws voting, and members will have an opportunity to check-in and discuss announcements, needs, and concerns. Membership meetings are open to all Division VII members and especially Diversity Chairs of local Chapters.

07/07/2026

What an unforgettable experience it was for the members of California Psychological Association and Division 7 as they came together to celebrate at the vibrant ! The atmosphere was electric, filled with the spirit and energy of creativity, love, and joyful resistance, which was truly overwhelming. It was amazing to see so many people from all walks of life unite to promote acceptance, equality, and inclusivity. 🌈💖 Take Pride in Your Mental Health, because mental health care is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their s*xual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Let's continue to raise awareness and break down stigmas surrounding mental health, and work towards creating a society that values and supports the well-being of all individuals. 🌟

06/29/2026

Save the Date!

Join us for CPAGS Diversity Day 2026, a student-led, community-driven virtual gathering centered on this year's theme:

✨ Radical Hope & Our Collective Voice: Intersectional Clinicians Rising in Uncertain Times ✨

As our communities continue to navigate evolving social, political, and cultural challenges, Diversity Day offers an opportunity to come together in reflection, dialogue, and solidarity. This event is dedicated to uplifting historically marginalized voices within psychology while fostering meaningful conversations that strengthen our collective commitment to equity, justice, and culturally responsive care.

📅 Saturday, July 18, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (PST)
💻 Virtual Event

Proudly student-led and organized by graduate students, Diversity Day brings together graduate students from across California to learn from one another, build community, and imagine a more just future for psychology.

Stay tuned for speaker announcements, programming updates, and registration details. We're excited to share what's in store!

Looking to seeing you all soon,

[ CPAGS x CPA VII ]

06/27/2026

This year, we at are honored to bring back the Psychology Student DEI Scholarship which was established by our Past Chair Dr. Harpreet Malla last year in response to the American Psychological Association's accreditation board suspending their DEI requirements. Structural shifts like this can leave students and early career psychologists feeling unsupported and unsure of their place in the field of psychology. As these accreditation requirements have yet to be reinstated, and research funding continues to be cut nationally, we feel that it is especially imperative now for California psychologists to show our clear, unequivocal, and continued support for students who are pursuing DEI-related work and/or who have lived experience as a member of an underrepresented minority entering the field.

More representative researchers and clinicians means more accurate representation and care for the communities in which we live and work. We believe that providing financial assistance can meaningfully impact who has access to pursuing a career in psychology, and we want graduate students with passion and purpose to be rewarded with the opportunity to do what they love and in doing so, improve mental healthcare access for all.

This year, with Division I's generous co-sponsorship, we were able to triple the award amount and also expand the awards given. If you are a student who is passionate about psychological research or practice that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and who could use funding support, please send your CV, a headshot, and a 1-page essay on your background in DEI work and how you would use the funds to [email protected] by July 31st, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the winners via e-mail in August 2026, and will have an opportunity to receive their award in-person at the CPA Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Please see flyer for application requirements and further details, and share widely with anyone who you think may be a good candidate for this scholarship award.

06/23/2026

This year, we at are honored to bring back the Student Convention Scholarship which was established by our 2024 Chair Dr. Tanisha Thelemaque . As DEI-related research funding cuts increase nationally at unprecedented rates, we feel that it is especially imperative now for California psychologists to show our clear, unequivocal, and continued support for students who are pursuing DEI-related work and/or who have lived experience as a member of an underrepresented minority entering the field of psychology. One major way we can do this is by helping students connect with their future colleagues and peers at in-person conventions where they can exchange ideas and network in ways that can impact their careers.

More representative researchers and clinicians in our workforce means more accurate representations and care for the communities in which we live and work in the great state of California. We believe that providing financial assistance can meaningfully impact who has access to pursuing a career in psychology, and we want graduate students with passion and purpose to be rewarded with the opportunity to do what they love and in doing so, improve mental healthcare access for all.

If you are a student who is passionate about psychological research or practice that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and who could use funding assistance in attending this year's CPA Convention 9/24 through 9/27/26, please send your CV, a headshot, and a 1-page essay on your background in DEI work and how you would use the funds to [email protected] by midnight on July 31st, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the winners via e-mail in August 2026. If you win these funds, you must attend the convention in-person where you will be recognized among your peers and colleagues.

Please see flyer for application requirements and further details, and share widely with any graduate students in psychology who you think may be a good candidate for this scholarship award and whom you would like to see at convention.

06/17/2026

Introducing one of the newest members to our board of directors this year, Dr. Jami Kerr.

Drop a "hello" in the comments!

06/02/2026

Division 7 in welcoming speaker Shawn Giammattei in his upcoming presentation on "Minority Stress, Gender Noise, and the Sociopolitical Determinants of Mental Health In Transgender & Non-Binary People Across the Lifespan."

It looks to be a very important presentation to attend.

When: June 23, 2026 from 9:00-10:30am

We hope you can join us!

Remember, by becoming a member of CPA Division 7, you can attend these presentations for FREE all year!

Address

1231 I Street #204
Sacramento, CA
95814

Website

https://www.cpapsych.org/page/83

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