Bridging Realms of Wellness Now
“Since society rewards us most, indicates that we are valuable, when we are willing to push ourselves to the limit and beyond, we need a life-affirming practice, a counter-system of valuation in order to resist this agenda.”
–bell hooks, Sisters of the Yam
Welcome to The Ancestral Academic!
I’m glad that you’re here! My name is Dr. Millicent, and I am an interdisciplinary health scholar, certified Reiki Master Practitioner, and AuDHDer. My work centers the health, healing, and well-being of Black women across the life course. As the Ancestral Academic, I integrate rigorous research with ancestral wisdom to support Black women’s liberation and authentic well-being.
I am an Assistant Professor in the UNC School of Social Work, with a Secondary Appointment in the UNC School of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine. I’m also the Founder and Director of the RENEW Hub.
This space is for healers, practitioners, scholars, and anyone, especially Black women, seeking to reconnect with ancestral wisdom and reclaim wellness. Let’s walk this path toward liberation together.
Featured Research
The John Henryism hypothesis (JHH) suggests high John Henryism may adversely affect the health of individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES). Although prevalent among Black Americans, its impact on Black women’s mental health across ethnic subgroups remains understudied. Using National Survey of American Life data (2001–2003), a factor analysis and negative binomial regression examined John Henryism patterns and psychological distress among 1,209 African American and 371 Caribbean Black women. Distinct factor structures indicated the need for group-specific versions of John Henryism variables to capture its role within each population. The analysis found no direct link between John Henryism and distress for either group. However, after accounting for sociodemographic factors and stressors, high John Henryism was associated with lower distress among Caribbean Black women. Evidence supporting the JHH was found only among Caribbean Black women, where John Henryism was protective for those with low and moderate SES but unrelated to distress for high-SES individuals.
Robinson, M. N., & Thomas Tobin, C. S. (2025). Whose American Dream? Examining the John Henryism Hypothesis for Psychological Distress among African American and Caribbean Black Women. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00221465251362467-Rated Health among African American and Caribbean Black Women?” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health-Special Issue. 19(20):13460.
In the Media &Press
Recognizing the considerable impact of stress on Black women’s health and well-being, Millicent Robinson, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work and adjunct professor with the Department of Social Medicine, is researching a promising response: a mindfulness-based stress reduction approach tailored specifically to this population.
Panama Jackson, narrator of the “Steel Drivin’ Man: John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend” audiobook, cultural commentator, and columnist at the Grio, engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with esteemed experts Dr. Millicent Robinson, Dr. Ben Torsney, and Dr. Jas Sullivan. Together, they delve into the profound cultural significance of John Henryism within Black communities, particularly as individuals navigate the challenges of systemic oppression and racism. The conversation explores the intricacies of this high-effort coping style, shedding light on its impact on both the mental and physical health outcomes across diverse Black populations.
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