Mission

To provide a Black Latine-focused space within the National Association of Black Counselors to explore what advocacy, advancement of mental health and well-being of Black Latinos, organizations, communities, and the larger African diaspora can look like through research, professional practice, education, advocacy, policy setting, reform, and coalition building. The mission of this division is to center the Black Latine experience while holding an intersectional, anti-oppressive, and resilience-informed framework. 

Vision

The Afro-Latino division will foster professional growth in the field of counseling and mental health, within the context of the African diaspora and the Black Latine experience. This division looks to build and share knowledge as well as provide a space that honors direct service, self-care and well-being of Black Latine service providers, and relationships with other organizations and community members. Additionally, this division seeks to advocate for specific needs and uplift marginalized perspectives including but not limited to: honoring and uplifting multicultural/multiethnic experiences, recognizing and addressing language needs within the mental health context, and building partnerships with mental health specific and non-mental health specific organizations centering the needs of communities within the African diaspora. 

Why do some people use a/e/x/@ at the end of Latino? 

Since Spanish is a gendered language, almost all nouns are assigned to be either masculine or feminine. To be intentionally inclusive, you may notice our division uses different endings. The reason some people use “e” (such as in words like “Latine”) at the end of words ending in “o” or “a” is because it flows more naturally with the sounds used in the Spanish language. 

Considering joining the Afro-Latino Division? Book an optional 15 minute call using this calendar booking link with one of our co-chairs to have a chat about what the division is currently doing, upcoming events, and how potentially interested members can participate.  

Suggested reading for Afro-Latino therapists and those that are passionate about serving the Afro-Latino community:

Afro Latin@ Reader

Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality 

The Pain We Carry: Healing from Complex PTSD for People of Color 

Stay tuned for our 2026 Calendar of Events! Here are some things coming in the first quarter of the year:

• Cafe, Comunidad y Cultura: An Afro-Latino Therapist Peer Support Group (meetings will be quarterly, more information about dates to come. All Black identifying therapists welcome!)

• A Restorative Yoga Self-Care series for Mental Health Practitioners

• Guided Conversations around Decolonizing Wellness and Healing and other community chats