Legacy and Innovation: The Ujima Culturally Responsive School Mental Health Framework for Training School Counselors at a Historically Black University

ABSTRACT This conceptual article focuses on the Ujima Center located at Bowie State University. It illustrates Bowie State University's strong legacy of training counselors in evidence‐based multicultural practices and the Ujima Center's innovative framework that promotes diversity and equity in school counseling through culturally affirming training. The Ujima Center developed four models;AFFIRM, SAFE, HEART, and GUIDE,—to provide culturally affirming training, advisement, support, and career assistance to Ujima scholars. In addition, the Ujima Center highlights how additional evidence‐based components, such as multitiered systems of support, as well as mental health first aid training, help address the significant inequities in the availability of mental health services for students in K‐12 schools. This conceptual article also explores implications for counselor education, research, and practice.