The POC Research Lab

The Lab

The POC Research Lab was established in Spring 2023 under the principles of Psyches of Color, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to destigmatizing mental health in Black and Latinx communities. The Lab engages in community-based participatory research, centering the voices and lived experiences of the communities we serve.

Our Mission

We bridge the gap between academia and community by translating research into accessible knowledge, practical tools, and meaningful impact. Our work is grounded in radical healing — the belief that research should serve the people it studies, not just the institutions behind it.

The
POC
Research Lab
Team

Our team is made up of researchers, mentors, and community partners who bring both academic training and personal connection to the work. Every project is shaped by the people and communities its meant to serve.

Our

The POC Research Lab has made significant strides in advancing culturally responsive mental health research. Our team has presented findings at local and national conferences, including winning the Best Oral Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Research Symposium at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2024. In addition, we have conducted comprehensive mixed-methods program evaluations for other organizations and led mixed-methods clinical trial research for our pilot programs, ensuring that our work not only generates knowledge but also translates into meaningful, community-centered impact.

80% of interns have reported more comfort with conducting program evaluation Each Year
80
%
Of Interns

Through hands-on training in the POC Research Lab, interns gain confidence and practical experience in key research methods. Each year, participants report significant growth in their skills, becoming more comfortable with qualitative research, quantitative research, and program evaluations, preparing them to conduct rigorous, community-centered research with confidence.

Research Assistant Interns in the POC Research Lab gain hands-on experience with a broad range of research methods and analytical skills. They learn to facilitate focus groups and interviews, conduct literature reviews, and develop surveys and focus group guides, equipping them to engage directly with communities, collect meaningful data, and contribute to rigorous, culturally responsive research.

Lab members also develop advanced technical and academic competencies, including program evaluation, SPSS data analysis, manuscript writing, and chart and graph creation. Most students are provided the opportunity to publish their work before entering graduate school, preparing them to design, implement, and communicate research that informs impactful mental health programs and advances community centered knowledge.

Lab Students enter
grad
school & careers
with confidence

Through hands-on research training, mentorship, and opportunities to publish, POC Research Lab students build the skills, experience, and confidence needed to succeed in graduate school and future research careers.

Gain hands-on experience, build your research skills, and contribute to culturally responsive, community-centered mental health research. Apply today and start making an impact!
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