Faye Z. Belgrave, Ph.D.
As the associate dean for equity and community partnerships, Belgrave is responsible for the development and implementation of a plan for improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the College. In addition, she is responsible for elevating and promoting the College's community-engaged research and teaching.
Faye Belgrave, Ph.D., is a University Professor in the Department of Psychology where she has been a faculty member since 2001. As the associate dean for equity and community partnerships, Belgrave is responsible for the development and implementation of a plan for improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the College. In addition, she is responsible for elevating and promoting the College's community-engaged research and teaching.
Belgrave is the founding director of the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention (CCEP). Her research is on health disparities, focusing on drug and HIV prevention among African Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities. Her programmatic and research activities also focus on culture and context, women's health and gender-related issues. Much of her work has been conducted in collaboration with community-based organizations in Richmond and formerly in Washington, D.C.
She is the co-author of the first textbook in African American psychology and numerous peer-reviewed papers, books and cultural curricula on African Americans and other racial/ethnic minority groups. Invitations to speak on community engagement, health disparities and cultural competence have provided opportunities to share information and best practices with diverse audiences in the Richmond area and nationally. Her work as a principle investigator on several federal grants has led to developing, implementing and evaluating programs that reduce health disparities for racial/ethnic minorities. Belgrave has mentored numerous students (undergraduate and graduate), community members and junior faculty and supported them in establishing successful careers.
Equity, inclusion and community partnerships have been central to her work at VCU since she arrived more than 20 years ago. In 2001, she founded the CCEP, whose mission is to work collaboratively with community partners to provide a place, forum and means to promote culturally congruent and community relevant prevention and intervention work with culturally different groups. Until recently, she was a co-leader of VCU’s iCubed core on Culture, Race and Health. Other diversity and equity activities include a fellowship in the previous Division for Inclusive Excellence; president and member of the Black Education Association's executive committee; and participation in many other diversity initiatives. Belgrave has conducted many workshops and seminars on diversity and engaged in other activities to increase inclusiveness for underrepresented and marginalized faculty, students and staff at VCU.
Belgrave has been honored with many awards for her teaching, research and service, including an American Psychological Association’s Psychology and AIDS Leadership Award, a Senior Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, the Association of Black Psychologists’ Distinguished Faculty Award, an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Leadership Award in Prevention, and VCU’s Presidential Award for Community Multicultural Enrichment, among many others.
Belgrave earned her doctorate from the University of Maryland, her master's degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and her bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State University.