Black Americans persistently face a multitude of racially derived injustices that affect nearly every aspect of our lives. Nevertheless, as both historical and contemporary research has shown, life outcomes are not solely dictated by risk factors; instead, they are shaped by the interplay of factors that promote healthy coping and flourishing. I am actively engaged in projects that explore these domains within samples of Black Americans, with a focus on positive impact, preventive measures, and interventions.

The Afrocentric approach serves as a crucial framework for contextualizing the lived experiences of people of African descent. My work relies on this approach as I am dedicated to exploring the strengths within Black communities, rather than deficit-based models and approaches.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Miller v. Alabama (2012) marked a pivotal moment in juvenile jurisprudence, reshaping the sentencing landscape for juvenile homicide offenders in the United States. While juvenile lifers constitute a relatively small portion of the population of youth offenders transferred to adult courts, it is notable that they are disproportionately Black and Latino males.

My research focuses on identifying evidence-based prevention strategies to support young males who are at risk of experiencing transitional failures during their youth.