Why Dr. Amos Wilson is THE MAN around here!

As we approach a new season in 2023, I’m excited to share with the world why the genius of Amos Wilson is my greatest influence and how I’ve designed a system of education vital for our children of Afrikan descent.

I attended Howard University for my Master's in School Psychology, not knowing the intricacies of all a School Psychologist is trained to do, I applied to graduate school wanting to be “a mental health professional that helps kids ‘survive’ high school.” That’s literally what I wanted to do. I was fascinated with Western Psychology, and I had an easy personality working with children- I enjoyed them both. So when the time came that I really really wanted to choose a career path, School Psychology is the degree that I allowed to lead me.

I never knew that a school psychologist wore so many hats in the field of education- honestly, I’d never even met a school psychologist before…at least I didn’t think.  Once I began my studies, I quickly understood the possible demands. I also learned that not all school psychs do the same thing, in all schools. They’ll use you how they want. While working as a teacher, I graduated in 2007 and got my first system job, a year later. In my nine years of working for government-operated and supported schools as a school psychologist, I’ve been used 3 different ways. This statement will only mean something if you want it to. It probably does- it probably says more than you think it does…but I’m truly just giving you the scope of the job. At some point, I'll have to present my qualifications. As humans, we love qualifications.

Back to the story:

In the fall of 2016, while crafting my schedule, I opted for an elective that piqued my interest – "Seminar Black Child Development." To be frank, if any other Black psychologist was discussed in that class, I have consciously blocked that from memory. It almost felt like the course could have been aptly named "African Psychology 101: A Class for Wilsonites.”  Dr. Wilson's impact on me was that profound. Still now, if I close my eyes and reflect on that time, his face symbolizes the door to the class.

Amos Wilson. He absolutely was a revolutionary before his time. At the height of his popularity with Black people, I would have been about 11. I am going by the date of 1992, which was smack dab in the middle of when many of his most highly favored and referenced books were released. Not to mention the clips of his speeches we find on you, are from the early 90s. And now, as an adult Black School Psychologist deeply committed to transforming the educational experience for Black children, I came to the realization that genuine revolution cannot be achieved from within the system. The ones who make it onto the agenda, are those who have a spiritual or material connection with the powers that be, for good or evil. Undoubtedly, individuals who have received their education under the Eurocentric system, irrespective of their race, and have not taken proactive measures to challenge and reverse that mindset, are less likely to be down with the vision of liberation I hold.

The process of creating the structure of the schooling system for Afrikan children was the healing process from that experience. And not that one “traumatic” thing happened that defined that experience for me, but the fact that as human beings, we are expected to adjust to an experience instead of creating our own. A way to intellectually dismantle the evil that we have inherited. I refuse to pass it down.

But back to my phantom namesake of the school, he is a man whose work must be respected. I’m really excited about this new phase in my project– actually talking about him, and the theoretical roots of ReGeneration180. To share with the world how his energy has influenced a new way will ultimately suggest that we are in need of a New Afrikan Child. This system is different. It’s going to require a total transformation. Anything that is new, is worth being thoroughly taught, correct?

I am determined that ALL Black, Melanted, and African individuals will lend an ear to my insights on Afrikan-Centered Education and Dr. Amos N. Wilson. I will, that you will trust that wisdom will be the ultimate outcome of this journey.

“After I was initiated, I initiated myself”

Yoruba Proverb

Iya J