Dr. Thema Receives Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Mental Health and Social Justice Leadership
Dr. Thema Bryant, professor at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP), has been selected as a recipient of the MLK Social Justice / Mental Health & Wellness Advocacy Award, presented by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California (SCLC-SC) as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards & Gala.
The award recognizes leaders whose work advances Dr. King’s vision through sustained commitment to justice, equity, and community well-being. Dr. Thema’s career reflects a deep integration of mental health advocacy, scholarship, and public leadership, particularly at the intersection of trauma recovery, healing-centered care, and social justice.
A nationally recognized psychologist, Dr. Thema has played a significant role in shaping conversations around culturally responsive mental health practices and the importance of wellness as a foundation for individual and collective flourishing. Her work emphasizes healing not only as a personal process, but as a community and societal responsibility—an approach closely aligned with the principles of Dr. King’s Beloved Community.
In addition to her role at Pepperdine GSEP, Dr. Thema previously served as President of the American Psychological Association, where she helped elevate issues of mental health equity, trauma-informed care, and ethical leadership on a national scale. She is also the bestselling author of Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole Authentic Self, a widely recognized work that explores pathways toward healing, resilience, and self-restoration.
At Pepperdine GSEP, Dr. Thema contributes to the preparation of future mental health professionals through teaching, mentorship, and scholarship grounded in values of purpose, service, and leadership. Her work reflects GSEP’s commitment to addressing complex mental health needs with compassion, cultural awareness, and a strong ethical foundation.
The MLK Social Justice / Mental Health & Wellness Advocacy Award is presented during SCLC-SC’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards & Gala, a signature event honoring individuals whose leadership and service continue to advance civil rights and community transformation. Dr. Thema’s selection underscores the vital role mental health advocacy plays in advancing social justice and sustaining the legacy of Dr. King’s lifelong work.