The field of behavior analysis has grown exponentially over the past two decades, yet that growth has not been distributed equitably. Communities of color, particularly Black communities, have historically been underrepresented in the profession and underserved by its practitioners.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Black Women In Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day
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Join Free →Together, we will explore the power of unity, inclusion, and expansion in the field of behavior analysis. Rooted in the Black community's resilience and strength, this presentation unpacks the barriers created by division and silos, examines how inclusion begins within our own communities, and challenges us to expand ABA's impact beyond autism services. Together, we will reimagine what it means to serve, innovate, and lead unapologetically, using our unique perspectives to create meaningful change in systems that affect Black lives. Learning Objectives:Examine how division and siloed efforts within the Black community and professional spaces undermine progress and collaboration.Identify strategies to foster inclusion and unity, starting within personal and professional communities.Evaluate the current state of ABA services in Black communities and explore the need for broader, culturally responsive applications beyond autism intervention.Explore non-traditional pathways for behavior analysts to make impactful contributions in areas such as civic engagement, education, and behavioral healthcare systems.Develop actionable steps to leverage collective power and collaboration to disrupt inequities and create lasting change in underserved communities.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
| COA | 1 | — |
Portia James has spent nearly two decades shaking conference tables — challenging systems that prioritize efficiency over dignity and outcomes over people. As the founder of Behavior Genius, she built the organization from the ground up with a singular conviction: that sustainable performance is impossible without care, clarity, and human-centered leadership. Today, Portia serves as Chief of People & Performance, where she focuses on the lived experiences of both staff and families. Her work centers on organizational behavior management (OBM), mentorship, psychological safety, and performance systems that support people without burning them out. She partners closely with clinical and operational leaders while maintaining a visible, front-line presence — meeting families during intake, mentoring leaders, and ensuring the mission is felt through every interaction with the people she serves. Known for blending rigor with relational leadership, Portia believes that accountability and compassion are not opposites — they are partners. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to stewarding people well, protecting culture, and “mothering the mission” under the core belief that growth should not cost anyone their humanity. She is also the author of Radical OBM, where she reimagines traditional organizational behavior management through a human-centered, systems-driven lens — challenging leaders to design environments where people can perform, grow, and belong. At her core, Portia views leadership as service — a calling to be present, responsible, and faithful with what (and who) she has been entrusted to lead. Her work is rooted in healing the systems we’ve survived — and building workplaces that people don’t have to recover from. Outside of work, Portia is a wife, a homeschool mother of three, and a collector of experiences in the form of concert tickets, sky miles, and recipe books.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.