Ujima Fellows

Dr. Marcus Mason, Ujima Fellow, Fall 2024

Dr. Marcus Mason, with over 12 years of experience working with youth and adults, is a Bowie State University alum who earned both a Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescence Studies and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Md) and Licensed Professional Counselor (Va), and Board Approved Supervisor in Maryland, his client-centered approach integrates Adlerian theory and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Dr. Mason consults with various sectors, including school districts and nonprofits, and applies his expertise from his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership and Management at Drexel University. He was honored as a TEDx Editor’s Choice speaker on bringing diversity to the mental health realm, further highlighting his dedication to the field. His company, Minds in Motion Therapeutic Services, LLC, emphasizes the connection between mental and physical health with the tagline "Move Better, Feel Better, Think Better." Dedicated to serving Black men, Dr. Mason and his team address this underserved population’s unique mental health needs and offer dynamic professional development and workshops. As an adjunct professor at Bowie State University, he mentors students, supports aspiring entrepreneurs, and uses social media to advocate for mental health and therapy.

Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, Ujima Fellow, Spring 2024

Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka is a therapist, consultant, research-scientist, speaker, hair historian, and hairstylist. She is the owner of Ma'at Psychological Services, a private practice in Washington, DC focused on promoting balance and restoring order to the lives of her clients. She focuses on understanding and using traditional African cultural rituals for contemporary wholistic mental health practices. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She studied the psychological significance of race within lives and earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Howard University at the age of 26. Dr. Mbilishaka has been identified as a subject matter expert by the Senate and House of Representatives, testifying nationally on the behalf of the CROWN Act, an anti-discrimination law to protect Black hair. She has now gone international, leading cultural and mental health focused trips. Dr. Mbilishaka is a natural hairstylist at N Natural Hair Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland where she loves creating art with locs, twists, and afros.