Dr. Allura Casanova

Dr. Allura Casanova is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Hampton University. She received her Joint Ph.D. in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies, also from the University of Michigan. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Dr. Casanova’s work centers around three key areas: How men of color conceptualize their masculinity through the lenses of race and culture. What gender expectations and masculinity norms influence Black men’s mental health and well-being and lastly, how sexual harassment and discrimination manifest for men of color in the workplace. She actively participates in Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to erase structural racism and oppression present in academia. She does DEI work by recruiting and mentoring marginalized students pursing their secondary education, creating anti-racism and inclusion workshops and creating unique projects (e.g., exhibitions) that promote the necessity of diversity. A notable achievement is her recent book chapter titled “Sometimes You Just Need to be Heard”: Forms of Social Support for Black College Men, in which she explores how Black men define social support and how they navigate both positive and negative support systems to care for their mental health.