“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. I integrate rigorous research with ancestral wisdom to support Black women’s liberation and authentic well-being.
The Ancestral Academic is a way to share my writings, workshops, and information about healing, wellness frameworks, creative work, and reflections on navigating systemic oppression while staying whole. This space explores how ancestral wisdom helps us navigate challenging spaces without losing ourselves—and how integrating spirituality with scholarship creates pathways to liberation.
I am also an Assistant Professor in the UNC School of Social Work, with a Secondary Appointment in the UNC School of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine.
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 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.
