My name is Shacoya Bates I am a fourth-year Clinical Psychology doctoral student attending Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. I hold a B.S. in Psychology, dual B.A.'s in Africana Studies, and an A.S. in Biology. In addition to my degrees, I have earned a Strength-Based Family Worker Credential through Temple University. I am a wife, mother, and lifelong learner passionate about education, social justice, and advocacy work. I aspire to normalize seeking therapy within the black community, deconstruct stereotypical ideas used to marginalize and dehumanize people of color, and open and operate a community school where I provide psychotherapy, support, and connect community members. My long-term goals are to empower young ladies of color to embrace their whole selves and continue working with communities to build foundational connections that result in cohesiveness and collective action. I have more than eight years of experience working in social services between the mental health system and the foster care and adoption system. I love to dance, listen to music, sing karaoke, and host gatherings with family and friends!

• Advocacy
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• Researcher and Co-Author

  Point Park University · Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology

  2019 – 2020

  Research topic:

  Sexual Harassment and the psychological impact

• Member/researcher

  Advocacy · Social Justice Research Team Point Park University

  2019 – Present

  Mission:

  Advocacy work

• Member

  Advocacy · DEI Steering Commitee Point Park University

  2019 – Present

  Mission:

  Advocacy for university community

• Member

  Advocacy · Black Girls Equity Alliance

  2019 – Present

  Mission:

  Advocacy for youth in the community

• Graduate student member

  Advocacy · Point Park University

  2018 – 2019

  Mission:

  Advocate for graduate students' programmatic needs

• Troop Leader

  Volunteering · Girls Scouts of Southwestern Pa.

  2018 – 2019

  Mission:

  Mentoring youth in the community

• Mentor/Group Facilitator

  Volunteering · Gwen's Girls Inc. Black Girls Advocacy and Leadership Alliance

  2019 – Present

  Mission:

  Mentoring youth in the community