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  • Editor’s NoteSo Sad to Leave St. Thomas . . .

The association of black sexologists and clinicians just concluded its third annual Spring Roundtable Series in the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas). There were seventeen professionals in attendance and I must say that this was our best conference yet. What made this conference special was the discussion that happened during each presentation. I must confess that I was moved throughout each presentation as we had an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about each topic but also discussed the implications of how each inquiry impacted persons of African descent and/or the professionals who work with this unique population. Here is a list of the presentations for this year’s roundtable discussions:

The impact of intersecting identities for Back/African American practicum students while on site

Kiara John, M.S. (University of Indianapolis)
Oterria Trimble, MPH (University of Indianapolis)

“To be alone or not to be alone”: Black women’s experiences of intimate partner abuse and the costs of leaving

Karen Powell Sears, PhD (Denison University)

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) Black femme resistance and resilience as a developmental milestone and a framework for cisliberation

Perre L. Shelton, M.A. (Howard University)
Don T. Trahan Jr., Ph.D. (The College of New Jersey) [End Page vii]

Narrative of my vagina . . . Oops! We can’t talk about that . . .

Mary Mary, MFT (Butterfly Love, LLC, Philadelphia, PA)

Black beyond the rainbow: Clinical implications for the intersectionality of race and sexual identity

Dr. Jannis Moody (Texas Southern University)
Dr. Dominique Broussard (University of San Francisco)
Mr. Courtland Douglas (Texas Southern University)

Black Male Intersectionality and their Resiliency in Transitions

Dr. Marsha Boveja Riggio (Argosy University)
Dr. Don Trahan, Jr. (The College of New Jersey)
Perre Shelton (Howard University)
Leonard Chester (Temple University)

What was fascinating about each presentation is that the presenters could not get through five or six Powerpoint slides because the conversation about each caption was very rich. Because of the conversation, younger professionals were able to get advice from seasoned professionals and support around their research or clinical best practice. Mid to senior level professionals were able to think through ideas and engage in discussions about how their work could benefit other populations as well as explore the possibility of additional consultative opportunities. At the conclusion of the conference, many (if not all) participants offered that this was the ONLY space that they had been a part of that was intimate, professional, relaxed, and safe to share. The difference between this conference and other events was that they felt as if the work that they were doing was valued and affirmed in a manner that they had never experienced before.

St. Thomas is beautiful and the island will be our home for many years to come. The sun, ocean water, beach, people, and food gave us everything we needed to heal our mind, body, and spirits. When it was time for us to depart, there was an indescribable sadness as if we were all living in dream and that the dream was over. We hope that you will join our family and be a part of our event next year as it promises to be transformative for you as a person and for your career.

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Also, during the month of April, 2018, a talented sister of ours was able to put together an event that was historic. What made it historic was that [End Page viii] I’ve been in the field for twenty-three years and had never heard or been to a SAR developed by people of color (POC) for POC. Ms. Bianca Laureano hosted a Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) in Brooklyn, New York. Twelve professional women from near and far convened at Bailey’s Café and were able to view provocative films and engage in discussions about the confluence of race, sexuality, and gender. Dynamic, indeed, the conversations were compelling as they centered the experiences of people of color. For the SARs that I have been a part of over the past two decades, there were never more than one or two people of color present or a part of the presentation materials. Upon reflection...

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