Faculty Spotlight - Dr. Renae Mayes

Dr. Renae Mayes

Her unique perspective on school counseling reclaims Black joy so that the humanity of students is recognized and valued, because this approach has proven results when applied in counseling spaces to improve mental health to advance student success outcomes. It is a valuable and innovative model that can be applied to all students facing challenges to their wellness.

Dr. Mayes’ research explores how Black school counselors interpret and reclaim Black joy and resistance within homeplace—a space where students’ humanity is recognized and valued. She is dedicated to fostering Black joy and homeplace in every aspect of her work, viewing Black joy as a source of beauty, healing, and restoration, manifesting in meaningful ways across various spaces.

1. What drives the work that you do including your scholarship as well as any other work you'd like to highlight? 

I’m really focused on cultivating Black joy & homeplace across all aspects of my work. As I engage in scholarship – I take on a perspective that Black joy is beautiful, healing, restorative, and is happening in ways in spaces that are important. I look specifically at P-12 schools and communities for Black youth as I aim to uncover strengths they possess in navigating schools and communities that promote their mental health & wellness and promote their success. My research acts as a counternarrative to deficit perspectives and narratives that are told about Black youth and families. It’s also foundational to my approach as a counselor because of the way that Black joy & homeplace embraces the full humanity of Black youth and families. 

2. What fuels your passion? 

I’ve always been driven and inspired by my community. There is so much strength, knowledge, nurturing, and vivacity that exists in our culture, and I always want to find a way to support, protect, and cultivate even more. 

 3. What advice would you give your younger self? 

Focus on the work and activities that continue to promote your joy & restoration and limit energy towards those things that steal it.