EDUCATION​

2001    Ph.D., Social Work and Social Research, Portland State University

1995    M.A., Clinical Psychology, Pacific University

1988    M.S.W., Social Work, Portland State University

1986    B.S., Speech Communication, Portland State University

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EMPLOYMENT​

2025–2027  Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Morehouse College, Office of the Provost

2022–Present  Chief Executive Officer, Be The Healing, Inc.

2005–Present  President & CEO, Joy DeGruy Publications, Inc.

2001–2014  Assistant Professor, Portland State University School of Social Work

1999–2001  Trainer/Social Work Consultant, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

1999    Graduate Research Assistant, Portland State University, Albina Community  Project

1998    Instructor, Portland State University Graduate School of Social Work

1995    Instructor, Portland State University School of Education

1993–2005   Principal, JDL & Associates

1993–Present   Associate Consultant, Nichols and Associates

1988–1993   Director Evaluation & Curriculum, Self Enhancement Inc.

1986–1996   Associate, Willard and Associates

1984–1988   Case Manager, Outside-In & The Council for Prostitution Alternatives

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DISSERTATION​

DeGruy, J. A. (2001). African American male youth violence: "Trying to kill the part of you that isn't loved" [Doctoral dissertation, Portland State University]. Eileen Brennan, Chair.

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PUBLICATIONS​

Books

DeGruy, J. A. (2017). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's legacy of enduring injury and healing (Rev. ed.). JDP Publications.

DeGruy, J. A. (2009). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome the healing: A study guide to Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's legacy of enduring injury and healing. JDP Publications.

DeGruy, J. A. (2021). The relationship approach: Multi-disciplinary, multi-systemic, multi-cultural model (M4). JDP Publications.​

Book Chapters

DeGruy, J. A. (2026). New perspectives on healing collective trauma. In [Edited volume title]. Routledge.
 

DeGruy, J. A. (2023). [Chapter title]. In The new Brownies book: A love letter to Black families. Chronicle Books.
 

DeGruy, J. A. (2021). Explaining Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: Multigenerational transmission of trauma. In The psychological legacy of slavery: Essays on trauma, healing and the living past. McFarland.
 

DeGruy, J. A. (2019). Infusing culture into integrative practice in and for larger systems. In Integrative practice in and for larger systems: Transforming administration and management of people, organizations, and communities. Oxford University Press.
 

DeGruy, J. A. (2010). Post Slavery Syndrome: A multigenerational look at African Americans' injury, healing and resilience. In International handbook on disaster and mass trauma: Cultural and spiritual rituals and practices for meaning-making and resilience impact of genocide and terrorism. Praeger.
 

Crawford, J., Nobles, W. W., & DeGruy, J. A. (2003). Reparations and healthcare for African Americans: Repairing the damage from the legacy of slavery. In R. A. Winbush (Ed.), Should America pay: Slavery and the raging debate on reparations (pp. 251–281). Harper Collins.
 

Bandele, A., Gillespie, M. A., & DeGruy, J. A. (2010). Relationships. In S. L. Taylor (Ed.), A new way forward: Healing what's hurting Black America (pp. 70–80). Third World Press.

 

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Briggs, H. E., Kothari, B. H., Briggs, A. C., Bank, L., & DeGruy, J. A. (2015). Racial respect: Initial testing and validation of the Racial Respect Scale for adult African Americans. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 6(2), 269–303. https://doi.org/10.1086/681625

 

DeGruy, J. A., Kjellstrand, J. M., Briggs, H. E., & Brennan, E. M. (2012). Respect and racial socialization as protective factors for African American male youth. Journal of Black Psychology, 38(4), 395–420.

 

Briggs, H. E., Briggs, A. C., & DeGruy, J. A. (2006). Family participation in system change. Best Practices in Mental Health: An International Journal, 2(1), 12–29.

 

Briggs, H. E., Briggs, A. C., DeGruy, J. A., Cox, W. H., & Shibano, M. (2005). Group treatment of separated parents and child interaction. Research on Social Work Practice, 15(6), 452–461.

 

DeGruy, J. A., Brennan, E., & Briggs, H. E. (2005). The African American adolescent respect scale: A measure of a prosocial attitude. Research on Social Work Practice, 15(6), 462–469.

 

Briggs, H. E., Briggs, A. C., & DeGruy, J. A. (2005). Promoting culturally competent systems of care through statewide family networks. Best Practices in Mental Health: An International Journal, 1(2), 77–99.

 

Briggs, H. E., Briggs, A. C., & DeGruy, J. A. (2001). Shields and walls: The structure and process of racism in American society. Psychology and Education: An International Journal, 38(2), 2–14.

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Scholarly Works in Progress

Bracing for spring: The quest for racial peace (manuscript in preparation)

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Monographs (Non-refereed)

DeGruy, J. A. (2015). Oasis Sister's Circle: Where Black women replenish and restore in community. San Francisco Black Infant Health Project.

 

DeGruy, J. A. (2009). Examining the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery on living African Americans and on society in the United States. Illinois Transatlantic Slave Trade Commission Research Project.

 

DeGruy, J. A., Kiam, R., & Briggs, H. E. (2003). Culturally responsive and accountable organizations. In H. E. Briggs & T. Rzepnicki (Eds.), Bridging the gap between research and practice: A festschrift honoring the contributions of Elsie Pinkston (Vols. 1–2). University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration.

 

MEDIA APPEARANCES 

DeGruy, J. A. (2025, July) 14th, History, Law and Justice, [Film Documentary] Ava DuVernay

DeGruy, J. A. (2025, June) Closer Look, History, Truth and Power, [Radio NPR Interview] Rose Scott, WABE

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DeGruy, J. A. (2025, May) Not All Hood, Social Justice and Healing,[Film Interview] Malcolm Jamal Warner.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2025, January) Steve Harvey Vault Empowers Truth and History, [Film Interview] Brandi Harvey.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2024, October) Het Portret-Amsterdam, PTSS and Lived Experience, [Film Podcast Interview] Het Portret.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2022, September) SiriusXM Urban View – PTSS, [Radio] The Karen Hunter Show.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2022, February) First Things First, Healing and Repair [Radio Interview] Dominique DiPrima.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2021, ) Laverne Cox Show PTSS, [Film Interview] Laverne Cox.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2020) (In)Visible Portraits, Black Women, [Film Documentary] Oge Egbuonu, Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

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DeGruy, J. A. (2018, May)  Race, Trauma and Healing [Public Broadcasting Service, Film Interview] Grand Valley State University.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2018) Healing Justice School to Prison Pipeline, [Film Documentary] Shakti Butler.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2014) Cracking The Codes Racial Inequality [Film Documentary ] Shakti Butler.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2018), The Gate [Film Documentary] Spring Green Films, Steve Sarowitz.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2004, September). The state of Black America [Television broadcast]. WABC-TV. Like It Is with Gil Noble.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2003, September). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome [Television broadcast]. WABC-TV. Like It Is with Gil Noble.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2003). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome [Radio broadcast]. WBAI 99.5 FM, Pacifica Radio.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2002, December). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome [Radio broadcast]. National Public Radio. The Tavis Smiley Show.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2002). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: The play [Theatrical production]. Off-Broadway, New York.

 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Peer-Reviewed

DeGruy, J. A. (2009). [Title]. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Annual Conference, Washington, DC.

 

DeGruy, J. A. (2005, April). African American mental health. National Association of Black Social Workers, New Orleans, LA.

 

DeGruy, J. A. (2003, October). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. African and African Descendants: United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Bridgetown, Barbados.

 

DeGruy, J. A. (2003, February). African American males and issues of respect. National Association of Social Workers, Albany, NY.

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DeGruy, J. A. (1999, April). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome/The Relationship Model. National Association of Social Workers, Fairbanks, AK.

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DeGruy, J. A. (1998, March 5–8). Community as partner: A community-centered approach to field education. Council on Social Work Education 44th Annual Program Meeting, Orlando, FL.

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DeGruy, J. A. (1997, May 8). Perspectives of African American male youth violence: The Portland House of Umoja. Portland State University Regional Research Institute Annual Conference: Building on Family Strengths: Research and Services in Support of Children and Their Families, Portland, OR.

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DeGruy, J. A. (1995, July). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's legacy of enduring injury. Association of Black Psychologists 27th Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA.

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Selected Invited Presentations

DeGruy, J. A. (2023, November). [Title]. UNESCO Third Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination, São Paulo, Brazil.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2022, August). Reparations and healing summit. MacArthur Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation, Accra, Ghana.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2022, July). Reparations and healing summit. MacArthur Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation, Bellagio, Italy.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2019, July 21–27). [Title]. International Academy of Law and Mental Health, Rome, Italy.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2018, October). Healing the wounds of slave trade and slavery: Towards mutual recovery. UNESCO International Symposium, Washington, DC.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2016, October). Exploring the legacy of slavery. International Symposium, Martinique.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2007). [Title]. C-SPAN.

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DeGruy, J. A. (2006, March). Diversity in society. University of Oxford Roundtable, London, England.

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COURSES TAUGHT

Online Courses (2019 - Present) 

• Introduction to Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome

• Advanced M-4 Model Implementation: The Relationship Approach

• African American Multigenerational Trauma & Implementing Models of Change
 

Portland State University School of Social Work Courses  2001-2014

• Diversity and Social Justice

• Field Instruction

• Generalist Practice

• Human Behavior in the Social Environment

• Seminar: African American Community

• African American Multigenerational Trauma & Issues of Violence

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HONORS AND AWARDS

Academic and Scholarship

2023    American Psychological Association President's Award for scholarship, noting 1,700 citations in peer-           

            reviewed journals and books
 

2021–2022    MacArthur Grant, Reparations and Healing ($500,000)
 

2015   Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Human Rights and Social Justice, California Institute of Integral Studies

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1999–2000    Oregon Sports Lottery Scholarship
 

1996–1998    Minority Graduate Student Pipeline Support Fellowship
 

1997    Gladys McCoy Fellowship
 

1990    Minority Scholarship, Pacific University School of Professional Psychology
 

1986    Mount Hood Minority Scholarship

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Community Outreach (Selected)

2019    City of Sacramento, African American Leadership Council Award of Appreciation

2018    Fresh Start Milwaukee Community Healer Award

2016    Gil Lopez Award, Outstanding Contribution to Conflict Transformation, Diversity, Social Justice and Equity

2015    Alliance for Nonprofit Management, Distinguished Leadership Award

2015    Umoja African American Program, Community Achievement Award

2007    Lifetime Achievement Award, African American Mental Health Commission, Oregon

2004    Certificate of Appreciation, Reality House Residential Treatment Facility, New York City

2000    Key to the City, Columbus, Georgia

2000    Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia

1999    Certificate of Appreciation, Federal Bureau of Investigation

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EXTERNAL RESEARCH   

        Principal Consultant. (2002–2003). Multnomah County grant to Albina Ministerial Alliance for African American Commission          on Mental Health ($200,000).

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        Consultant. (2011–2014). The Urban Institute dual-generation study on housing, food security, education, employment,                and home ownership. Home Forward (Housing Authority of Portland).

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UNIVERSITY SERVICE 

Committee Membership​

• Promotion, Tenure, and Merit Committee

• Faculty Affairs Committee

• Faculty Search Committee

• Diversity Action Council

• Faculty of Color Connections Forum

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Other Service​

Committee Member, Sharon Renee Mitchell’s Dissertation. I am M.O.R.E., Making Ourselves Resilient Every day. September, 2021.
 

Committee Member, Lakindra M. Mitchell Dove’s Dissertation. The Complexity of Hair and Identity among African American Girls in Foster Care, May, 2015.1.1Committee Member, Sheryl Stohs' Dissertation. Self-assessment of cultural competence in an educational environment. January 2004.

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Professional Memberships

        • Global Circle For Reparations and Healing (GCRH)

        • United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

        • Faculty of Color Network, Portland State University

        • International Faculty of London Department of Health

        • National Commission on Black Men and Boys

        • National Association of Black Social Workers

        • Association of Black Psychologists

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