Black racial identity is a multidimensional construct that refers to attitudes and beliefs about the significance and meaning of being Black (Sellers et al., 1998). Racial identity can inform Black individuals' beliefs about themselves and the world in ways that are relevant to mental health. Understanding the role of racial identity in Black Americans' mental health using a diverse set of analytic techniques (e.g., variable-centered, person-centered) across the lifespan is critical for the development of multiculturally-informed clinical science that centers Black populations. Aligned with this goal, this symposium begins with Dr. Donte Bernard, who will present findings on the degree to which racial identity moderates associations between trauma symptoms and Black youth's interactions with the law. Transitioning to a person-centered approach, Ifrah Sheikh will discuss the nuanced ways in which racial identity profiles moderate the relationship between race-related stress and trauma symptoms among trauma-exposed Black American women. Continuing the discourse on racial identity profiles, Maryam Ware will present work examining associations with race-related stress and civic engagement both cross-sectionally and across time. Finally, discussant Isha Metzger will conclude by synthesizing the findings and identifying future directions for the field of racial identity.