Centering Black Youth Experiences.
Through our research, MAAD Lab imagines the ways in which Black children and youth can break free of oppression in schools and communities by resisting and disrupting white supremacy, anti-Black racism, and patriarchy.
MAAD Lab is committed to uplifting and supporting racial liberation efforts and we believe that Black children and youth are brilliant! Our work seeks to center and amplify the voices and lived experiences of Black youth in ways that will dismantle oppressive systems and foster empowerment.
In short, we are:
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“MAAD” at White supremacy, anti-Black racism, and patriarchy.
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“MAAD” inspired by Black youth brilliance, and
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“MAAD” committed to amplifying Black youth voice.
Our research areas include:
• School racial climate and educational outcomes
• School engagement among Black adolescents
• Race-related experiences (e.g., racial identity, racial socialization, racial discrimination)
• Black parenting and family socialization processes
• Positive youth development and resilience among Black youth
• Adolescent social-emotional functioning, health promotion and risk behaviors
• Youth-led participatory action research (YPAR)
Lab Director
Dr. Charity Brown Griffin
Dr. Charity Brown Griffin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a M.A. and Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of South Carolina. After completing her graduate training, Dr. Griffin served children and families through her practice as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Psychologist. Dr. Griffin’s federally funded research program integrates principles from multiple disciplines (school psychology; developmental psychology; education) to understand how Black youths’ experiences with race-related processes in schools and communities, influence educational and psychological outcomes. Her research on topics, including racial identity, racial socialization, school racial climate, and school engagement, has been published in popular media outlets such as Successful Black Parenting Magazine and PBS Kids, and peer-reviewed journals such as Psychology in the Schools, Journal of Black Psychology, Journal of Child and Family Studies, Journal of Applied School Psychology, Journal of School Psychology, and others. Furthermore, she has received numerous awards and honors for her work including an AERA-SRCD Fellowship in Middle Childhood Education and Development. Dr. Griffin also serves as an advisor and consultant for local and national organizations, programs, and media outlets.
Post Doc Research Associate
Dr. 'Malitšitso Moteane
Dr. ‘Malitsitso Moteane is a versatile research methodologist who will serve the lab to support validation of the newly developed School-based Racial Stress and Trauma Scale (SRSTS). She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research Methodology from UNCG and a background in Mathematics Education, and brings a wealth of expertise to the post doc research associate role.
Dr. Moteane’s research interests are the use race and ethnicity as variables in research, bias in testing, and bilingual education and assessment. Her professional affiliations include memberships in the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME), Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Assessment (CREA), and the American Evaluation Association (AEA), reflecting her commitment to advancing the field of educational research and evaluation.
Dr. Moteane also serves as an evaluation consultant at RadCollective LLC and an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). At RadCollective LLC, Dr. Moteane specializes in designing and implementing evaluation and assessment strategies. Her work leverages a robust skill set in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research methodologies. As an adjunct professor at UNCG, she teaches courses in information analytics and data visualization, inspiring the next generation of professionals in the field.
Post Baccalaureate RA
Jakhari Dowd
Jakhari Dowd is a graduate from Winston-Salem State University, with a degree in psychological sciences with a concentration in Social and Cognitive psychology . While aiming to expand continued knowledge of mixed-methods research methodologies, Jakhari has growing research interest in how systemic barriers in educational institutions affect learning environments and contribute to disparities in academic achievement. His professional affiliation includes membership in the Psi Chi International Honor Society for Psychology.
Current Lab Members
MAAD Lab Scholars
Janice Badger
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Janice Badger is a senior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University from New Bern, North Carolina. She has a strong interest in health psychology, psychometrics, and research, particularly in understanding the psychological factors that influence well-being. With a hardworking and determined mindset, and a passion for helping the community, Janice plans to continue her academic journey by pursuing a PhD in health psychology.
Ny'Asia Stephens
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ny'Asia Stephens is a senior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University from Danville, VA. She has an interest in adolescent and abnormal psychology. She plans to start working in ABA therapy after graduating from college. In her free time, she likes to watch movies and spend time with family.
Shamayah Drew
Research Assistant
Shamayah Drew is from Charlotte, NC, and is currently a senior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University. She is passionate about personal growth and helping people with their personal development. Her future aspirations are to attend graduate school so that she may pursue a career as a clinical mental health counselor.
Tatiana Thompson
Research Assistant
Tatiana Thompson is a senior psychology major at Winston-Salem State University from Raleigh, NC. She has a passion for working with children and plans on going to graduate school to get her master’s in counseling. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets.
MAAD Lab Alumni
Jakhari Boyd
2024 Lab Graduate
Jakhari is currently serving as a post baccalaureate research associate in the MAAD Lab.
MAAD Lab Student Research Spotlight!
Learn more from our student scholars about what we study in MAAD lab!
Research Projects:
RAce in School (RAiS) Project
Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, CZI, and Discriminology
This project, funded by the National Science Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Discriminology aims to validate a survey measure of school based racism and stress among Black youth. We are recruiting participants (10-18 year old Black youth enrolled in public school) for this project and offer monetary incentives. Please contact us to participate!
TriB - Black Brilliance Belongs
Supported by Hopelab
TriB, short for Black Brilliance Belongs, is a web application co-designed with Black youth that uses science to foster belonging, celebrates cultural richness, and champions mental health and well-being for this unique group. The web application is forthcoming. Initial phases of this project was supported by Hopelab, a transformative social innovation lab and impact investor working to support the mental well-being of adolescents ages 10-25, especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ young people.
That's Just Good Teaching (TJGT)
Sponsored by the US Department of Education
In support of the Village of Wisdom VOW the grant will support a five-year initiative designed to enhance social-emotional and academic outcomes for students by harnessing the power of parent-teacher partnerships by providing teacher professional development in culturally affirming learning, parent-teacher residencies, community-driven assessments, and participant stipends to improve social-emotional and academic outcomes for high-needs students.
Centering Voices of Students
Sponsored by William T. Grant Foundation
The goal of this study is to develop a model for centering student voice in the implementation and evaluation of the R-CITY (Erasing Racism and Youth Violence through Collaboration with Teachers and Youth) Project, a 30-school randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Perceptions About Psychology Specializations (PAPS) Project
Sponsored by Winston-Salem State University Professional Development Committee Research Award
This investigation explores 1) HBCU students’ and faculty awareness and perceptions of psychology sub-disciplines; 2) factors affecting HBCU students’ interest in and selection of graduate school programs and 3) effective recruitment and retention strategies that graduate programs can use to increase representation of Black students in psychology. We are currently recruiting undergraduate psychology majors for this investigation!
Youth Experiences in School (YES!) Project
Sponsored by the National Association of School Psychologists
This study explored associations between school racial climate, school engagement and educational outcomes among Black youth. Recruitment for this project has ended.
Supporting Students Experiencing Discrimination Project
Sponsored by the National Association of School Psychologists
In collaboration with Drs. Shereen Naser (Cleveland State University), Sally Grapin (Montclair State University), Jeffery Brown (Minnesota State University, Mankato), and Sherrie Proctor (Queens College, CUNY), this project aims to document and describe school psychologists’ experiences in dealing with instances of discrimination towards students in their schools. We are currently recruiting participants for this research study!
Selected Publications:
In the News
Check out some selected news stories below featuring MAAD Lab student researchers!
YES! Weekly- CSEM-loaded student busts the barriers
September 16, 2020
Charity Griffin, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences and CSEM Research Fellow, said that “Tyler Chisolm has been a critical asset to the development and implementation of my CSEM-funded, 10-week summer program, YouthRISE. Over the past two summers, Tyler’s effort with this project included taking lead role as facilitator, working directly with youth in east Winston-Salem to empower them to become community-change agents. Tyler has also presented findings from this work at academic conferences and to community stakeholders in local venues.”
The Chronicle- Program helps East Winston students confront problems aggravated by pandemic
August 12, 2020
Called YouthRise (Youth Research in Sustaining Economics), it is based on youth-led participatory research and led by Professor Charity Griffin. The framework of her research centers on listening to and learning from young people, and aims to promote economic mobility by encouraging students to tackle the issues they face. By letting policymakers hear of their concerns, beneficial impact can result. This summer, the student collaborators, along with Griffin, and WSSU student interns LaDarian Eaton, Tyler Chisolm and Matthew Parker, helped collaborators define their needs for the community.
Winston-Salem Journal- John Railey: Hear these young people
July 3, 2020
"Kaycee" spoke to researchers as part of a program that CSEM Research Fellow Charity Griffin started, YouthRise (Youth Research in Sustaining Economics), that is based on youth-led participatory research, “a framework that centers on voices traditionally silenced in academic scholarship,” Griffin is very intentional about building trust, referring to the students in grades 8 through 12 as “collaborators” in research aimed at breaking down barriers to economic mobility by getting policymakers to hear these students on the front lines.
WSSU News- First undergraduate social justice fellows announced
April 8, 2019
Semaj Capers, a junior psychology major from Greensboro. Project title: “Fair and racial equity, critical consciousness, and educational outcomes among Black students in high school. Faculty mentor: Dr. Charity Griffin (Psychological Sciences).
Contact Us
Please contact the M.A.A.D. Lab to find out how you can get involved in our research!
305 Coltrane Hall
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
(336) 448-4040
