7 TPC Digest Read full article and references: Hannon, M. D., Adams, L. M., Nieves, N., Ceballo, E., Ford, Jr., D. J., & Vereen, L. G. (2024). Black people’s reasons for becoming professional counselors: A grounded theory. The Professional Counselor, 14(2), 164–180. doi: 10.15241/mdh.14.2.164 7 TPC Digest Furthermore, we contend that Black people who choose to become professional counselors are further along in their racial identity development, per Nigrescence Theory. Both theories assisted us in more deeply understanding Black people’s awareness of the deleterious effect of racism on their lives and the connection Black people make in their decision to join the counseling profession. By leveraging concepts from these two theories, we discovered the salient reasons for 28 Black people becoming professional counselors. These Black counselors were motivated to join the profession based on their inspiration to challenge cultural mandates (i.e., grounding motivator), to disrupt Black underrepresentation (i.e., secondary motivator), and to live out their personal and professional convictions (i.e., secondary motivator). The results from this and similar studies can assist the profession to work from an evidence base to develop programs, interventions, and other forms of support to attract a more racially diverse workforce. Actualizing the courage to empirically investigate the reasons Black and other socially, economically, and linguistically diverse people choose to become professional counselors can benefit our preparation programs, our practicing counselors, and our ever-evolving research base. Michael D. Hannon, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, LAC (NJ), is an associate professor at Montclair State University. LaShawn M. Adams, MA, NCC, LPC (NJ), is a doctoral candidate at Montclair State University. Natalie Nieves, MA, NCC, LPC (NJ), is an instructor at Molloy University. Estefanie Ceballo, MSED, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, LMHC (NY), LPC (NJ), C-TFCBT, CCTP, is a doctoral candidate at Montclair State University. David Julius Ford, Jr., PhD, NCC, ACS, LCMHC (NC), LPC (NJ, VA), is an associate professor at Monmouth University. Linwood G. Vereen, PhD, LPC, is a clinical associate professor at Oregon State University. Correspondence may be addressed to Michael D. Hannon, 2114 University Hall, Department of Counseling, College for Community Health, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043, hannonmi@montclair.edu.
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