Suicide is currently the 5th leading cause of death among children aged 5–11, a rate that has more than tripled in the last decade, and one that has increased significantly more among Black compared to White children. Specifying early childhood phenotypes of suicidality is critical for prevention of suicidal behavior. Such phenotypes need to be culturally relevant and rigorously tested in Black youth to yield data that will inform prevention science. We used the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, to guide both the development of a theoretical model and a research protocol to conduct a study on suicidality in young Black children.