Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.
In his book, Achieving Happiness Through Dreams, alumnus Napoleon Imarhiagbe ’04, Ph.D., who immigrated from Benin City, Nigeria, and graduated from John Jay with a master’s degree in Public Administration, shares his insights on mental health, particularly within the Black community. “There is a disparity in mental health resources available for people of color and the reality that we now face is that the pandemic has increased the rate of mental health issues in the Black community,” he says. “There is a certain level of stigmatization around mental health and people often feel ashamed to talk openly and seek mental health care.” Imarhiagbe connected with us to reflect on the importance of mental health resources for people of color and to celebrate the enduring example African American leaders have given us.
Why did you feel compelled to write Achieving Happiness Through Dreams: A Doctor Journey to Happiness?
The book is about my personal journey and achieving my dreams. It was a journey that was full of trials, tribulations, courage, hope, and a destination of happiness. I felt compelled to write Achieving Happiness Through Dreams because I want people to benefit from my wealth of experience and how I overcame those challenges in my life. It has always been important for me to give back to my community.
“The pandemic has compounded the problems of mental health in the Black community, which were already underreported.” —Napoleon Imarhiagbe
The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, leading to an increase in mental health issues, especially within the Black community. What do you want to see happen in the Black community in terms of addressing mental health struggles?
The pandemic has compounded the problems of mental health in the Black community, which were already underreported. One of the factors that contribute to this problem is that some people feel ashamed to disclose their mental health conditions to their primary care physicians simply because they do not want to be labeled. Black people have a history of being labeled, especially in relation to the period of slavery, and that history still resonates with us today. However, if your mental health condition is not diagnosed, it cannot be treated. Mental health issues are just like any other disease and people should not be ashamed of it. People are suffering from depression due to the loss of friends or family members from Covid-19, or simply from the isolation of being in lockdown. That is why I think mental health problems should be considered a public health issue and that more resources should be made available to help people.
If you were to speak to someone—especially a person of color—who was struggling with feelings of sadness, depression, or anxiety, what specific tips from your book would you want to share with them?
First, do not lose hope. In 2013, when I was pursuing my Ph.D., I thought of committing suicide when my dissertation was rejected for the fourth time. I informed my dissertation chief advisor about my mental health condition and I was astonished that I did not receive any words of encouragement from her. On a hot afternoon, I stood in front of a fourth-floor window thinking about whether to jump or not. Suddenly, my phone rang. Thankfully, the phone call was from Professor Edward Ngwu, who was a faculty member at John Jay College where I had earned my master’s degree. He said, “Napoleon, I have a solution to your dissertation proposal. I encountered similar problems when I was writing my dissertation proposal years ago. Come, I can help you.” The rest is history.
“Dream of big things you would like to accomplish because a good thought momentarily generates positive feelings, which makes one hope for a better, happier future.” —Napoleon Imarhiagbe
When you are sad or hopeless, don’t be afraid. Keep hope alive and be patient. If your depression is very critical, seek professional help, whether through a psychiatrist, counselor, or any medical professional who can best understand your needs. Other tips for managing depression are talking to friends, taking a walk, volunteering to help others, listening to inspirational music that is full of hopeful messages, or not staying home alone. Moreover, avoid thinking negatively because negative thoughts can generate negative reactions. Dream of good things. Dream of big things you would like to accomplish because a good thought momentarily generates positive feelings, which makes one hope for a better, happier future.
“On a hot afternoon, I stood in front of a fourth-floor window thinking about whether to jump or not. Suddenly, my phone rang. Thankfully, the phone call was from Professor Edward Ngwu, who was a faculty member at John Jay College.”—Napoleon Imarhiagbe
February is Black History Month. What does it mean to you to celebrate the many achievements generations of Black Americans have accomplished?
We celebrate the achievements of Black Americans because it’s essential to tell the story of past and present leaders. We need to be reminded of their sacrifices and accomplishments. Without leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and W.E.B. Du Bois, we would probably not be here. Black History Month gives the younger generation the opportunity to honor their leaders’ legacies and it helps them imagine their own future successes as they emulate those past achievements. Black culture has impacted the United States and the world, especially in the entertainment and music industries, and it should continue to be celebrated. In fact, Black culture is by far the most impactful cultural export of the United States.
“I celebrate Black History Month by telling the stories of Black leaders and heroes to my children. I want the stories of Black heroes to resonate in my children’s minds.” —Napoleon Imarhiagbe
How do you celebrate Black History Month?
I celebrate Black History Month by telling the stories of Black leaders and heroes to my children. I want the stories of Black heroes to resonate in my children’s minds. I tell them the stories of the history of 400 years of slavery, emancipation, Civil War, Jim Crow laws, and Civil Rights. The story of African Americans in America was not a cake walk, freedom was not given on a gold platter; it was achieved through hard work and a difficult journey. People sacrificed their lives for freedom. I want my children to know that.
What Black American leaders would you say have made the biggest impact on you and why?
To be honest, many Black leaders have impacted me, from Frederick Douglass to Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois, and so many others. However, Martin Luther King Jr. stands out. His record of fighting for racial equality and civil rights is phenomenal. I particularly adore his dream of America as a color blind society; no one should be judged by the color of their skin, but rather by the contents of their character. His notion of nonviolence while fighting for justice and equality for all humankind set a record across the globe. Martin Luther King Jr.’s goodwill and determination helped pave the way for a young Black immigrant child like me to aspire for greatness.
“Martin Luther King Jr.’s goodwill and determination helped pave the way for a young Black immigrant child like me to aspire for greatness.” —Napoleon Imarhiagbe
When you think of Black history in America, what makes you the proudest?
I think Black History Month makes us reconnect with the past. It enlightens us about where we are and where we are going. What made me the proudest was the election of the first Black President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the first Black Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. Their elections help us tell the younger generation that the sky’s the limit. You can be whatever you want to be in life if you can dream and work toward it. Success is not about the color of your skin or your race, but it is about your ability.
