Michael Connors, Ph.D.
Dr. Michael Connor earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hawaii in 1972 and his Clinical License (State of California) in 1974. He was Tenured Professor of Psychology at California State University, Long Beach from 1971 until 2008. Much of his professional work focused on issues impacting children and their families, especially as relates to fathers’ involvement. Dr. Connor began offering workshops for working men who desired to improve relationships with their children in 1975. At Cal State Long Beach from 1976-2008, he developed and taught a university level course, “Fathers and Fathering”, which was one of few university level classes of its kind in the U.S. which counts towards a college degree. In 1994, Dr. Connor commenced working with the Black Infant Health Program of the MCH, which resulted in the development of the model for the Role of Men program.
Dr. Connor is a lecturer, author, workshop facilitator, and is active in a variety of community affairs. His book, Black Fathers: An Invisible Presence in America (2005) edited with Dr. Joseph White, goes beyond the stereotyped negative depiction too often offered about Black men to discuss the many important and varied roles involved fathers of African American descent play in their families. A second edition was published in 2011.
