It was supposed to be a night of celebration.
Dr. Celeste Malone, an associate professor and coordinator of the psychology program at Howard University, had invited fellow Black psychologists, graduate students, and a small number of friends and family to celebrate in her presidential suite on the evening of Feb. 8.
The gathering was part of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) annual convention at the Hyatt Regency in Denver. Malone is NASP President, only the second Black female president of the organization, which represents more than 25,000 school psychologists, graduate students, and professionals across the globe.
Dr. Celeste Malone, associate professor and coordinator of the psychology program at Howard University and president of NASP.
“Being the second Black president, this was a big event, not just for me, but also for the Black community of school psychologists,” said Malone in an interview with Diverse.
Just ten minutes later, a knock on her hotel room door brought the party to an abrupt end. Two white members of the hotel staff, informed Malone that there had been several noise complaints and demanded that everyone leave. One remained behind in the hotel suite to ensure compliance.
The Hyatt’s quiet hours do not begin until 10:00 p.m. Malone said she and her guests had received no prior warnings from any hotel staff about noise complaints. No one was staying in the adjoining rooms besides herself and one relative. Reports from attendees said that the party was not loud. Further, the gathering was located in the parlor of the presidential suite, a space commonly used for events, with a capacity for 75 people.
