Meet Maryam Jernigan-Noesi | Psychologist, Educator, Researcher, Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maryam Jernigan-Noesi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maryam, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?

As a parent, I am intentional about the ways that I engage with my son and how I “pour” into his sense of self. As a psychologist, I understand how essential our sense of self is to our overall development, health, and wellbeing. As such, it is also important for me to take into consideration the multiple contexts in which my son will grow, exist, and thrive. This requires that I have a sense of what factors may serve to deter or take away from his ideal development.

As a Black mother, I am keenly aware of how race influences the experiences of those who are racially minoritized in the United States. Having a Black child comes with the responsibility of ensuring that I am able to engage him in experiences and surroundings that serve to promote a positive sense of self, including and especially his sense of pride in who he is as a Black boy. This is particularly important given the fact that we live in a racialized society that has historically and currently marginalized and oppressed people and communities of color. One of the greatest gifts given to me when I was a child, I now hope to pass on to my child. That gift is a positive and healthy racial identity as one aspect of my son’s sense of self and overall identity. I am very intentional about the ways that I parent using this lens.

If we believe children are influenced by how others see and engage with them, what they are told (explicitly and implicitly) about who they “are” in a given society, and the opportunities to see themselves reflected in the spaces that they exist, we have to be intentional about how we parent. My primary mechanisms are intentional and  include affirming my young son by creating counternarratives to racial stereotypes that he has been, and will likely continue to be exposed to in society. This includes verbal affirmations about things like his intelligence and ability, the beauty of his skin tone (and that of others), his hair texture, etc. It means ensuring he is reading books and is exposed to media that features characters he views as similar to himself. It also means exposing him to Black history and his other aspects of culture. Most importantly, it requires preparing him in a developmentally appropriate manner for the realities of society with regard to race. This is not always easy, but it is necessary and doable. As he continues to grow and develop my desire is that sense of self and self-concept includes the ability to also see the value in recognizing the differences of others, be that race, nationality, ethnicity, language, gender identity, etc.

What has been most impactful is the ability to see that being intentional and starting these practices early in his childhood is now reflected in how he talks about himself, how he interacts with others, his curiosity, and his ability to engage and embrace diversity. What I know as both a parent and a psychologist, is that this will serve as the foundation for his future experiences and his ability to resist the multiple ways in which a racialized society may attempt to marginalize and oppress him. It is his greatest armor.

What should our readers know about your business?
Dr. Maryam is a CEO, licensed professional psychologist, clinician-scientist, and educator with over 15 years of instruction experience in higher and professional education.

I am a nationally recognized mental health expert dedicated to illuminating the impact of racism and racism on the lives of people of color and working to promote their healing. I use my background as an academic and researcher to develop and implement accessible and culturally-responsive health interventions and treatment practices in schools and communities.

In 2008, while a graduate student, I founded Jernigan and Associates Psychological and Educational Consulting, LLC to meet increased demand from educational institutions, healthcare, and organizations to understand how to promote racially equitable and inclusive practices that lead to effective outcomes. I provide a range of professional development workshops, training, and consultation services for professionals and administrators.

I am a research consultant to community organizations and small businesses to assist with assessment, as well as program development, implementation, and evaluation.

As a licensed psychologist, I work with clients of all backgrounds with a variety of mental health concerns. My training also includes specialization in specializes in women’s health, perinatal mental health, racial trauma, and identity.

As a speaker, I have been featured on a variety of multimedia platforms including television, print, radio, and podcasts. Topics have included mental health across the life span, social and emotional development in youth in school settings, racial trauma, and culturally-responsive treatment.

What I am most proud of is the feedback I get from clients about my brand. They see us as reliable, thoughtful, efficient, and effective. I am also proud of the fact that I have built personal relationships with my clients. If they are willing to engage in the work, I am willing to work with them to find ways to do so. As a brand, I continue to evolve by paying attention to trends and trying to stay ahead of the curve. I value innovation and am often described as enterprising. In doing so, I have never and don’t imagine I will ever compromise my work for the sake of financial gain or quantity over quality service. I hope to leave a legacy that speaks to my dedication to social justice through my work.

What sets me apart is my ability to adapt to different organizations and fields of work. I can apply my training as a psychologist, clinician, researcher, educator, and organizational consultant. For me, the unifying concept is helping to promote racial justice at the individual, institutional, and community levels.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta Botanical Gardens Ponce City Market and walking along the Beltway with family
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Fernbank Museum
Any of the parks in Gwinnett County for walks, family events or meeting up with friends
Atlanta Falcons and Hawks sports games
Village Market ATL

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to recognize my parents for providing a blueprint. I would also like to thank my mentor, Dr. Janet Helms, who is my “academic mother” and one of the greatest influences on my professional interests and career.

Website: mmjerniganassociates.com

Instagram: @mindfield_drj

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-m-jernigan-phd-

Twitter: @jernigma

Facebook: @DrMaryamJernigan

Image Credits
Damien Jackson Nedari Photagraphy