Joy Degruy Speaker & Booking Information

Dr. Joy DeGruy authored the book entitled Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Enduring Legacy of Injury and Healing, which addresses the residual impacts of trauma on African Descendants in the Americas. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome lays the groundwork for understanding how the past has influenced the present, and opens up the discussion of how we can use the strengths we have gained to heal.

The book has been praised by Randall Robinson, Bill Cosby, Al Sharpton, and many more. Susan Taylor, Editorial Director of Essence Magazine says that “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a master work…Her book is the balm we need to heal ourselves and our relationships. It is the gift of wholeness.” Adelaide Sanford, Vice Chancellor of the Board of Regents for the State of New York states that “Dr. Joy DeGruy’s mesmerizing, riveting book is vital reading for our time…With Dr. DeGruy’s potent words we can and will heal.”

In addition to her pioneering work in the explanatory theory and book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, she has developed a culturally based education model for working with children and adults of color. She recently published the “African American Male Adolescent Respect Scale”, an assessment instrument designed to broaden our understanding of the challenges facing these youth in an effort to prevent their over-representation in the justice system.

Those who have experienced Dr. DeGruy’s lectures have been stimulated, enlightened during her workshops. Dr. DeGruy's seminars have been lauded as the most dynamic and inspirational presentations being presented on the topics of culture, race relations, education, and contemporary social issues today. Her clients have included academic institutions such as Oxford University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Fisk University, Smith College, Morehouse College and the University of Chicago to name a few. She has also presented to federal and state agencies such as The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Probation and Parole agencies, Juvenile Justice Judges Association and Police departments. Dr. DeGruy has worked with major corporations and companies such as Nordstrom's and Nike, the NBA Rookies Camp, and with the renowned G-CAPP program based in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. DeGruy has also been an invited speaker at the United Nations Conference on Race in Barbados, the Essence Women of Leadership Summit, and the National Association of Social Workers Annual Conference.

Dr. Joy DeGruy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, a master's degree in Social Work (MSW), a master's degree in Psychology, and a PhD in Social Work Research. She is an Assistant Professor at Portland State University. With over twenty years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work, she gives workshop attendees practical insight into various cultural and ethnic groups that form the basis of contemporary society. Dr. DeGruy's workshops also go far beyond the topic of cultural sensitivity; she provides specialized clinical work in areas of mental health and ecological resilience.

Dr. Joy DeGruy has been interviewed for BBC Radio (UK), C-Span, Essence Magazine, The Tavis Smiley Show, The Michael Baisden Show, Like It Is, and many other local print, radio, television, and online publications.