Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Aline Milfort.
Dr. Milfort, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you for having me! My journey began with the unwavering guidance of my parents and aunt, hardworking Haitian immigrants who instilled in me the values of faith, community, and perseverance. Their steadfast support allowed me to dare to dream big, no matter how ambitious my aspirations seemed.
From the moment I graduated high school, through the rigorous years of college and graduate school, ultimately achieving my doctorate in School Psychology, the core elements of my recipe for success remained unchanged. Faith in God gave me strength and resilience, while my tight-knit community offered unwavering encouragement and support, and my unyielding perseverance carried me through trials and tribulations.
Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, I remained steadfast in my determination to pursue my dreams, fueled by the belief that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and the backing of God. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I am deeply grateful for the foundation laid by my parents and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all, but I learned the meaning of resilience at an early age. As a teenager, I faced significant challenges due to an autoimmune disorder that led to frequent hospitalizations. This pattern of overcoming obstacles continued into my academic career. I was rejected by numerous graduate school programs but was accepted by one—a clear sign that it was where I was destined to succeed.
As I neared the completion of my graduate studies, a similar scenario unfolded. I faced rejection from many internship sites but ultimately received an offer from just one, prompting a move from Florida to Texas. This experience reinforced a valuable lesson: sometimes, you only need one opportunity to thrive.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a school psychologist, I wear many hats within my school district, but at the core of my role, I conduct psychological evaluations for students, particularly focusing on areas like Autism across the K-12 setting. What fuels my passion is the opportunity to engage with children, their families, and the dedicated school staff members daily. Plus, being around children keeps me youthful and energetic!
Beyond the school environment, I am fortunate to collaborate with four other outstanding Black school psychologists (Dr. Byron McClure, Dr. Tiara Bland, Dr. Krista Edwards, and Carleta Joseph) as a co-founder of the Black School Psychologists Network, Inc. (BSPN), a 501(c)3 organization established in 2022. Our mission is clear: to support, elevate, and advance the work of Black School Psychologists. One of our flagship initiatives is the annual Black School Psych Summit, and I’m proud to say that our second summit recently took place in April 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was an incredibly empowering event, bringing together a diverse community of over 376 attendees nationwide for two days of inspiration and collaboration!
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I love this question! In my experience, the major risk I took was somewhat involuntary, prompted by a significant career opportunity. As I mentioned earlier, my move from Florida to Texas was driven by matching with an internship during the challenging times of COVID-19, all managed through virtual interviews. This leap—relocating to a state I had never visited—was daunting but ultimately turned into one of the best decisions of my life. It spurred tremendous growth both professionally and personally.
I firmly believe that taking risks is essential. Often, something beautiful emerges from stepping into the unknown. Moreover, I subscribe to the philosophy that it’s better to venture a risk and face the outcome than to live with the question, “What if?” As someone once advised me, “At least you know you tried.” This mindset has guided me through many decisions and helped shape my approach to risk—it’s not just about the potential gains but also about the growth and lessons learned along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bspninc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinejmilfort/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackSPS/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/alinejmilfort
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theblacksps
Image Credits
Tiffany Couture
ShotbyMk
