BIO — Dr. Ed Garnes Official Site

Dr. Ed Garnes is one of the most dynamic therapists, educators and life consultants in America!

A doctoral internship trainee of Cal Berkeley, he holds a PHD ((University of Tennessee), M.A. in Counseling (Michigan State University), M.A. in Psychology (University of Tennessee) and B.A. in English Writing with minors in Black Studies; Mass Comm (DePauw University). Dr. Garnes has worked extensively with diverse individuals and groups. He curates interventions keenly aware of the impact race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic background, and disability status have on values, interests, and skills that directly impact academic, career, and psychosocial development. Intergenerational supporters champion his ability to channel his grandmother's southern wisdom, observational humor, and sobering life lessons as an activist into practical strategies for personal development.

Educator

Dr. Garnes is a former professor of Spelman College and has worked in higher education for over half a century as a faculty member, diversity and inclusion expert, and counselor. His dissertation research, influenced by his mentor of two decades, Dr. Joe White, the Godfather of Black Psychology, analyzed the impact of negative racial experiences on college satisfaction, resilience, assimilation, and mental health of Black men ( athletes & non-athletes) at PWI’s.Most recently, Dr. Garnes served as a tenure track Instructor of Psychology at Pellissippi St Community College. At Pellissippi, he, along with colleagues Dr. Antija Allen & Tracy Rees, was a subject matter expert in Psychology, Instructional Design, Multicultural Studies, and First Gen Students on a $27,150 grant funded by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Dr. Garnes' research and clinical interests include gendered racism towards Black men, racial perceptions of protest, career development among athletes, multicultural and social justice issues, mental health promotion and community outreach, and racial and ethnic identity development.

Activist/Writer

A respected educator, counselor, commentator, consultant, and activist in the areas of hip hop, mental wellness, Black identity, manhood, and popular culture, for his work with his community-based agency From Afros To Shelltoes, Dr. Garnes has appeared on the cover of Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine and on/in Black Enterprise Magazine, CNN’s Headline News, Sirius Radio, CBS Radio, and allhiphop.com. He currently stars in the internationally acclaimed documentary film series Elementary Genocide directed by Rahiem Shabazz. Additionally, his national tour Sweet Tea Ethics has featured famed brothers Dr. Cornel West and Clifton West. Dr. Garnes also appears in BET's acclaimed documentary Killer Curves, examining pop culture influences Black women's body image. Revered for his work as a literary artist, Dr. Garnes has opened for icons Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, and The Last Poets. A longtime music contributor to Creative Loafing, he has profiled and interviewed such cutting-edge artists as Spike Lee, Outkast, Gerald Levert, Erykah Badu, Anthony David, Divinity Roxx, Raphael Saadiq, T-Boz(TLC), and DMC (Run DMC). A finalist for the Fulton County Arts Council Dialog Literary Fellowship, Garnes was honored during the 2004 National Black Arts Festival with an installation featuring his classic poem “Contemplation Of A Looter Somewhere In The USA.”