Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson is a daughter of Detroit and mental health maven.
For over a decade, she’s been working with Black youth and their families
to “dropkick” racism and engage in resistance for a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

Her mission is to develop programs, products, and places
which eradicate the impact of discrimination on Black youth’s mental health.

Biography

Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP is a licensed clinical psychologist, CEO + Founder of RACE Space Inc., and Fellow at Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research. Her scholarship addresses applied coping strategies to reduce race-related stress in Black families. She is currently on scholarly leave as an Associate Professor at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.

Dr. Anderson strives to improve psychological outcomes for Black youth through culturally and contextually affirming therapeutic programs focused on racism and discrimination, effective coping and healing strategies, and community building, participation, and collaboration. One of her primary goals is to create interventions and youth centers which support the mental and physical health of Black youth in urban communities through mental health research and industry innovation.

Dr. Anderson was born in, raised for, and returned to Detroit. She enjoys all things food, sports, and travel, and is adventurous. She is becoming increasingly addicted to cake pops.

Learn More:

Education and Residential Fellowships

Research & Recognition

Funding