Dr. Angela Celeste May
Recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Psychology Award for outstanding contributions to psychology in Michigan, Native Detroiter Dr. Angela Celeste May earned a Bachelor of Music degree as a double-major in psychology and voice performance at Marygrove College, a Master of Arts degree in clinical and humanistic psychology from Center for Humanistic Studies (now the Michigan School for Psychology), and went into private practice in Birmingham, Michigan two weeks after graduating from CHS. Quickly moving on to pursue her doctorate, she was among the youngest graduates of the Union Institute when she earned her PhD. in clinical and organizational psychology with sub-specialties in forensic and neuropsychology at age 30.
While still a doctorate student Dr. May began serving on dissertation committees and co-founded, and is President of the counseling and consulting company A.M. May & Associates, Inc. with her sister Michelle May, and co-founded the Metro-Detroit chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists, later becoming the organization’s third President. Her doctorate dissertation research showed the positive impact on a company's bottom line when the public perceives that company as having a robust diversity policy and practices.
Two years after receiving her Ph.D., and while still running her company Dr. May became a forensic examiner at the Third Circuit Court. She was one of the original 13 psychologists of color chosen from across the country to serve as an American Psychological Association National Diversity Delegate, advocating for the profession in Washington, D.C., and served as the Diversity Chair for the Michigan Psychological Association.
Author of the book, "Freedom: What is the Experience of Living Without Negative, Self-Imposed Limitations?" (which had been her Master’s thesis) the former University of Phoenix Dissertation Chair is currently a psychology professor at Wayne County Community College District, public speaker, consultant, and President of the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation Board.
Throughout her psychology career, the White House, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Circuit Court Judges, National Organizations, Business Leaders, Clinicians, Educators, and others have sought out Dr. May for her expertise, brilliant writing, gifted teaching, and unique ability to understand and clarify behavior.
In addition to psychology, Dr. May is also an accomplished professional musician and music educator, recording artist, writer, music and music video producer/director, and band leader who has traveled the world. Founder and President of Celeste Productions, Inc, she has appeared frequently in print, television, and radio, made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2017, and from 2017 to the present has been invited by various producers and directors to appear in movies (“Trista”, “Solomon”, “Youth Against Violence”) as herself, either as a psychologist or vocalist. A former longtime board member and vocal coach for the Detroit Youth Choir, Dr. May received the Distinguished Alumni Award and the A.C.E. Woman of the Year Award from Marygrove College and was a 2020 “Who’s Who in Black Detroit” honoree.
Dr. May continued her involvement in community service in 2019 when she was invited to join the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation Board (MPAF). There she spearheaded a key shift in the direction of their Dissertation Doctoral Scholarship Grant program and was subsequently appointed Chair of that committee in 2020, then President of the Board in 2021. Dr. May accepted an invitation to join the Drug-Free Youth in Detroit Advisory Board and the Michigan Health Council Board of Trustees after stepping down from the MPAF Board and currently serves both organizations. She continues her involvement with the Metro Detroit Association of Black Psychologists and is a member of the oldest Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.