Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Joel Kouame, MSW, presents a live virtual professional training program on The Unfair Social Pressure on the Black Man to Be Resilient: A Public Health Crisis.

This presentation examines the systemic expectation for Black men to demonstrate resilience in response to institutionalized racism, framing it as a public health crisis. While resilience is often viewed as a strength, it can also serve as a tool that normalizes oppression and perpetuates racial trauma. This course explores the impact of institutional racism on Black men’s health, education, economic stability, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Participants will gain insights into how resilience, when imposed as a survival mechanism, reinforces systemic inequities.

The training will also introduce a multi-level intervention framework—spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention—to address institutional racism in both clinical practice and systemic advocacy. Mental health professionals will leave with practical strategies to support Black male clients without reinforcing the resilience trap, ultimately fostering meaningful change at both individual and institutional levels.

This program is designed for mental health professionals, educators, social workers, and healthcare providers who engage with Black male clients or address systemic inequalities in their practice. 

This program will be held live only; no on-demand recording will be available.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe institutional racism and its impact on Black men across health, education, employment, and the criminal justice system
  • 2 Describe how the societal expectation of resilience contributes to racial trauma and reinforces systemic inequities
  • 3 Describe the public health consequences of racial trauma, including chronic stress, mental health disorders, and economic disparities
  • 4 Describe a multi-level intervention framework (primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention) to address institutional racism in clinical and systemic settings
  • 5 Describe strategies to support Black male clients in navigating systemic oppression without reinforcing the resilience trap

  • Intended Audience

    This program is intended for professionals who engage with Black male clients or address systemic inequalities, particularly those committed to understanding and addressing the impact of institutional racism, racial trauma, and systemic oppression. The audience includes individuals working in mental health, public health, education, social justice, advocacy, and criminal justice reform, who are dedicated to supporting Black men and advancing equity in their respective fields.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Educator
    • Social Worker
    • Healthcare Provider
    • Policy Advocate
    • Administrator
    • School-based Mental Health Provider
    • Criminal Justice Reform Specialist
    • Community-based Interventionist
    • Public Health Practitioner
    • Nonprofit or Advocacy Organization Staff
    • Government Agency Staff

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who engage with Black male clients or address systemic inequalities.
    Beginner: Participants new to concepts of institutional racism and resilience, seeking foundational knowledge about their impact on Black men’s health, education, and justice involvement.
    Intermediate: Clinicians and advocates with some experience addressing racial trauma, looking to deepen their understanding of the resilience trap and integrate multi-level intervention frameworks into practice.
    Advanced: Experienced professionals and administrators seeking advanced strategies for systemic advocacy, policy change, and leadership in dismantling institutional racism within organizations and communities.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who participate in this program typically work in environments dedicated to supporting individuals and communities impacted by systemic inequities. These settings are often collaborative, mission-driven, and focused on advancing equity, whether through direct service, education, advocacy, or policy work. Workplaces may range from clinical and healthcare environments to schools, community organizations, government agencies, and advocacy groups. These professionals engage with diverse populations, often in urban or underserved areas, and are committed to addressing the root causes of racial trauma and institutional oppression.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Outpatient mental health clinics and private practices
    • Community mental health centers
    • K-12 schools and universities
    • Hospitals and primary care clinics
    • Nonprofit organizations focused on social justice or public health
    • Government agencies addressing health, education, or criminal justice
    • Correctional facilities and reentry programs
    • Community-based intervention programs
    • Advocacy organizations working on policy reform
    • School-based mental health services
    • Public health departments and initiatives

Presented By

Joel Kouame, MSW, Founder of JK Counseling

Joel Kouame, LCSW, MBA, CAMS-II, is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and the founder of JK Counseling, a remote group practice dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. Specializing in anger management, trauma, depression, and anxiety. He integrates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and the Gottman Method to help clients achieve meaningful, lasting change. Beyond his clinical practice, Joel is an adjunct professor and writer, with a passion for exploring psychology, sociology, and social justice in both his teachings and published works. His expertise bridges research and real-world application, empowering individuals and couples to navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Joel Kouame, MSW

Training Outline

Key learnings will include:

  • Introduction

      • Overview of course objectives and key themes
      • Icebreaker: Brief discussion on personal/professional experiences with resilience narratives

  • Presentation: The Resilience Expectation & Institutional Racism

      • Defining institutional racism and its systemic impact on Black men
      • Examining resilience as both a survival mechanism and a barrier to systemic change
      • Case studies highlighting disparities in health, education, employment, and incarceration

  • Discussion Groups: The Real-World Impact

      • Participants will break into small groups to analyze case scenarios of Black men navigating systemic barriers
      • Groups will discuss how resilience is expected and its psychological toll
      • Brief group presentations summarizing key takeaways

  • The Public Health Crisis of Racial Trauma

      • Presentation on how racial trauma meets criteria for psychological trauma
      • Discussion of chronic stress, mental health disparities, and economic consequences

  • Guided Discussion: Addressing the Resilience Trap

      • Participants will discuss ways mental health professionals can support Black male clients without reinforcing the expectation of resilience
      • Identifying barriers to systemic advocacy within institutions

  • Practical Applications & Closing Discussion

      • Strategies for clinical practice, advocacy, and systemic change
      • Q&A and final reflections on key takeaways

Live Event Policy

Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please contact our group training team.

  • Event Communications

    When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add [email protected] to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.

  • Cancellation Policy

    Have a sudden change of plans and are unable to attend live? No worries; you will be given access to the on-demand version of the program once available. Please note that if you attend live, no access to the recording will be given.

  • Event Conduct

    Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship/ provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.