About Us
Our Mission
The POC Research Lab integrates strengths-based and culturally responsive principles into our research approaches with aims of fostering radical healing in Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults through community-based participatory research
The POC Research Lab integrates strengths-based and culturally responsive principles into our research approaches with aims of fostering radical healing in Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults through community-based participatory research
Who we are
The POC Research Lab was established in Spring 2023. The Lab follows the principles of the Psyches of Color, Inc. nonprofit, whose goal is to destigmatize mental health in Black and Latinx communities and promote radical healing. We conduct community-based participatory research and are committed to ensuring we bridge the gap between academia and the community.
Our Team
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director
Dr. Tierra T. Ellis, Lab Founder & Director
Dr. Tierra T. Ellis is an exceedingly proud first generation college student and servant leader. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), and Community Psychologist based in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently the CEO of Ellis Psychological Services, Inc., co-owner of Authentically Black Services LLC, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Dr. Tierra is the Founder and Executive Director of Psyches of Color, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses strengths-based and culturally relevant approaches to provide mental health support – to at promise Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults – to decrease the stigma of mental health and promote radical healing. She received her doctorate degree in school psychology from Howard University, with an emphasis in forensic psychology. Dr. Tierra is a graduate from the Youth Justice Leaderships (YJLI) Fellowship within the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN). She is a member of Psychologists for Social Responsibility (Psy-SR) where she serves on the Abolition Working Group team. Dr. Tierra conducts Hip Hop and Healing workshops and is super passionate about creating and integrating culturally relevant approaches such as Hip Hop Culture and Psychotherapeutic treatments for which she is committed to expanding in the mental health field.
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director
Eduardo Bribiesca
Eduardo is originally from Mammoth Lakes, a small rural town in the Eastern Sierras, approximately six hours from where he currently lives in Pomona. Eduardo is 22 years old and currently studying psychology at Cal Poly Pomona as an undergraduate student. He hopes to attend graduate school after he attains his bachelor’s degree in psychology, focusing on counseling and therapy. Eduardo also attended Cerro Coso Community College where he received two associate degrees, one associate in arts in liberal arts math and science and an associate in science in math. His lifelong goal is to be a source of healing in a world with too many wounded.
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director
Eliel Davis
Eliel Davis is a Senior Psychology major at California State Polytechnic University. Eliel is currently a Resident Advisor, Black Men of Excellence intern, a R.I.S.E. student leader, and a Psyches of Color research assistant. Additionally, he is a member of the Kellogg Honors College and Ronald E. McNair Scholars program. Eliel’s current research for McNair is focused on the Romantic Experiences of Black Women in College. He plans to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology to research and treat the mental health of historically disadvantaged communities. His short-term plans include researching the intersection between culture, relationships, and mental health. During the fall quarter of 2023, he will be applying to graduate school programs.
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director
Earth Guerrero
Earth is a first-generation college graduate with a BA in Psychology from Cal Poly Pomona. She plans to pursue her master’s degree and has future goals to become a licensed therapist who seeks to merge social justice and the psychology field. She is of Chicano and Chamorru descent and carries her identities with her throughout everything she does. Because of her strong connection to her culture, she is passionate about advocating for her communities and other communities of color, to help provide mental health resources and destigmatize therapy. As well as making sure therapists of color are seen and heard. She believes it’s important to advocate, empower and strengthen our communities, and help create spaces for our people to heal, advance, and step into the light we have always had within!
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director
Kenya Cedillo Osorio
Kenya Cedillo Osorio obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology under Cal Poly Pomona. Kenya earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts – Social and Behavioral Sciences under Santa Monica College. Kenya is a queer, non-binary first-generation Mexican American graduate. Kenya is passionate about psychology and law and hopes to be a clinical/forensic psychologist in the future who can help communities.
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director
Mayra Reyes
Mayra Reyes is a first-generation college graduate that obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology, studying at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She was born and raised in East Los Angeles with parents from Tepatlaxco Puebla, Mexico. At this time, she is a research assistant in the Psyches of Color Research Lab. Some of her lab responsibilities include conducting mental health measures, analyzing quantitative data, open line coding, notetaking, presenting, etc. Along with that she has past experience on being a Youth Leader in Exert Your Voice, a program where she has facilitated creative workshops for youth offered in Psyches of Color, Inc., a nonprofit organization that is centered on radical healing with strength-based approaches for Black and Latinx youth/young adults. After completing her bachelor’s in psychology, Mayra is interested in delving deeper into psychology research by becoming a research analyst, a clinical research coordinator, or a similar career field.
Alicia Stone
Art Director
Art Director