Alvin Francis Poussaint facts for kids

Alvin Francis Poussaint (May 15, 1934 – February 24, 2025) was an American psychiatrist. He was known for his important research. This research looked at how racism affected the Black community. Dr. Poussaint was also a well-known author, speaker, and TV consultant. He served as the dean of students at Harvard Medical School. His work in psychiatry was greatly shaped by the civil rights movement. He joined this movement in the South in 1965.

While living in the South, Dr. Poussaint learned a lot about race in America. He then wrote his first book, Why Blacks Kill Blacks (1972). This book explored how racism affected the minds of Black people. Most of Dr. Poussaint's work focused on the mental health of African Americans.

Alvin Poussaint's Early Life and Career

Alvin Francis Poussaint was born on May 15, 1934. His birthplace was East Harlem, New York. His parents were immigrants from Haiti. He was the seventh of eight children in his family. The Poussaint family was Catholic.

When he was nine, Alvin became sick with rheumatic fever. This is a serious illness that can affect the heart. While in the hospital, he discovered a love for reading. This passion stayed with him. He carried it to Stuyvesant High School in New York. Stuyvesant was a science-focused school. It was mostly white, and Alvin was one of the few Black students. He often faced racism there. During high school, he also lost his mother.

After high school, Poussaint went to Columbia University. He continued to experience racism there. The social life at Columbia was hard for him. He once said that white students often felt Black students should not come to social events. In 1956, he earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia. He studied pharmacology, which is about medicines.

He then went to Cornell Medical School. He was the only African American student admitted that year. His experiences with racism strongly influenced his career. He chose to focus on the mental health of African Americans. He also studied their experiences with racial bias. He became a chief resident at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. This is a top hospital for brain and mental health.

However, in 1965, he left UCLA. He became the Southern Field Director for the Medical Committee for Human Rights. This group helped with civil rights in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Poussaint believed racism was the main mental health problem for the Black community. He felt that helping to end segregation in the South was more important than research at that time. This was especially true for medical facilities.

He stayed in Mississippi for two years. Then he went to Tufts University Medical program. There, he was the faculty director of psychiatry. In 1969, he left Tufts. He then began his long career at Harvard Medical School. He became the associate dean of student affairs. At Harvard, he strongly supported the affirmative action program. This program helps ensure fair opportunities for groups who have faced discrimination. Through this program, he helped 16 African American students succeed at Harvard.

During his time at Harvard, Dr. Poussaint never stopped caring about the Civil Rights Movement. He became good friends with Jesse Jackson. He was also a co-chairman for Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign. In 1973, Dr. Poussaint married his first wife, Ann Ashmore. They had one son together. Their marriage lasted until 1988.

In the 1980s, Dr. Poussaint became very famous. He worked as a media consultant for many Black TV shows. These included The Cosby Show and A Different World. He worked closely with Bill Cosby. He wanted to make sure the shows showed positive and realistic images of Black families. In this role, Dr. Poussaint helped fight negative racial stereotypes in the media.

Other important groups also asked for Dr. Poussaint's advice. The FBI, the White House, and the Department of Health all sought his counsel. He continued his interest in media. In 1994, he started the Media Center of the Judge Baker's Children's Center. Dr. Poussaint was also a co-executive producer for Willoughby's Wonders. This children's show won a New England Emmy Award in 1997. It was praised for showing an urban soccer team. The show taught kids important skills like teamwork and inclusion. During this busy time, Dr. Poussaint married Tina Young. They had a daughter in 1999.

Dr. Poussaint continued to work at Harvard Medical School. He also continued his research. He received many awards for his contributions to psychology and other fields. He passed away at his home in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts on February 24, 2025. He was 90 years old.

Dr. Poussaint's Work and Interests

Alvin F. Poussaint was very well known in psychology. He focused on how different races relate to each other. Much of his work looked at older ideas about race. He showed how racism could be obvious or hidden. Another big interest for Dr. Poussaint was media consulting. He wanted to use TV and movies to create good role models for children.

Awards and Honors

• Doctor of Humane Letters, Virginia State University, Petersburg, MA (2007)
• Doctor of Humane Letters, Alfred University, Alfred, New York (2005)
• New England Emmy award for Outstanding Children's Special as co-executive producer of Willoughby's Wonders (1997)
• Medgar Evers Medal of Honor, Johnson Publishing Company (1988)
• John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement (1987)
• American Black Achievement Award in Business and the Professions (1986)
• Honorary degree from Wilberforce University (1972)
• Who's Who in America (1969)
• Michael Schwerner Award for contribution to Cause of Civil Rights, New York, NY (1968)