About the Black Female Fatherhood Scholars (BFFs)
Stacie Harden
Network Chaplain/Mom
Brianna P. Lemmons, Ph.D., MSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Texas
Dr. Lemmons' research broadly investigates the structure and functioning of black families and more specifically predictors of non-resident black father involvement.
Marquitta S. Dorsey, Ph.D, MSW, MBA
Discipline: Social Work
State: Illinois
Dr. Dorsey's research aims to understand factors related to the sexual and reproductive health of Black adolescent females who live in and navigate urban communities. The role of fathers in the lives of girls is central to her research agenda.
Ericka M. Lewis, Ph.D., LMSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Maryland
Dr. Lewis' research examines the risk and protective factors that influence family functioning and child well-being. As an extension of this work, she also investigates the impact of positive father involvement on children development.
Dena Barnwell, MS, CHES, CHW
Discipline: Public Health
State: Maryland
Dena works to increase the availability of the resources and services for fathers. She also brings awareness to the unique needs of dads and promotes the positive effects of father engagement on the health of children and families.
Kelley Hollie, LMSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Arizona
Kelley Hollie’s research focuses on autism in the Black family with an emphasis on caregiver health and Black father involvement.
Melissa E. Buckley, Ph.D., LMSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Maryland
Dr. Buckley's research investigates the impact of fatherlessness on Black women and their ability to form attachments. Her research is an acknowledgment of the essential role black fathers play in the lives of their black daughters.
Maretta McDonald, Ph.D., M.S.
Discipline: Sociology
State: Louisiana
Dr. McDonald's research examines the influence of child support enforcement policies on low income Black fathers in rural areas
Latrice Rollins, Ph.D., MSW
Discipline: Social Work & Public Health
State: Georgia
Dr. Rollins is a Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Leader whose research is focused on health equity among African American fathers. She is also currently the principal investigator for a research project assessing father-friendliness of maternal and child health agencies in the state of Georgia.
Katrina Akande, Ph.D.
Discipline: Human Development & Family Science
State: Alabama
Dr. Akande's research focuses on father-child engagement and father involvement.
In memoriam of Dr. Akande's life and commitment to fatherhood.
(1969-2024)
Felicia Murray, Ph.D., LCSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Texas
Dr. Murray's research examines the intergenerational transmission of Black fathering practices and the impact of paternal wellness on the Black family structure.
Tasha Alston, Ph.D., MSW
Discipline: Social Work & Educational Psychology
State: Pennsylvania
Dr. Alston's research focuses on African American fathers involvement in the education of their children.
Cassandra Bolar, Ph.D.
Discipline: Marriage & Family Therapy/Psychology
State: Georgia
Dr. Bolar's research examines the impact of paternal mental health and intimate relationship quality on paternal engagement and child outcomes.
Regina Johnson, LPCMH, NCC
Discipline: Mental Health Counseling
State: Delaware
Regina has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. She currenlty manages a program that supports fathers in recognizing and understanding their role in the family. Her goal is to empower fathers to create a strong, supportive loving environment for their children.
Christina Grange, Ph.D.
Discipline:
Clinical and Community Psychology
State: Georgia
Dr. Grange's research focuses on co-parenting within African American families, from the perspective of mothers and fathers. She is the principal investigator of the "Co-Parenting in African American Families" research study.
Skky Martin, Ph.D.
Discipline: Public Health
State: Illinois
Dr. Martin’s research specializes in medical sociology and health education, focusing on the ways in which patients, providers, and medical schools experience and conceptualize ethnoracial disparities in maternal health. Dr. Martin is also interested in perinatal doctor-patient interactions and the effects that it has on Black parents’ mental health.
Adaobi Anakwe, Ph.D., MPH, CHES
Discipline: Public Heath
State: Pennsylvania
Dr. Anakwe studies Black men’s preconception and perinatal health, their health development across the life course, and its implications for the health of mothers, children, and men themselves. Her work seeks to address disparities in maternal and child health outcomes by focusing on paternal contributions to these disparities. Her expertise is in Black paternal health.
Wykinia Jones, MPH, CHES
Discipline: Public Health/Health Education
State: Georgia
Wykinia Jones is a Fatherhood Practitioner within a state government Maternal and Child Health section, whose goal is to intentionally engage fathers through existing programs and services and serve as a resource and linkage to fathers, families, and practitioners. Wykinia’s work is accomplished using three core strategies: capacity building, collaboration, and coordination across traditional and non-traditional partners. She serves as lead and co-lead on multiple cross-sector projects that seek to create a culture of inclusion for fathers in research, policy, and practice across the state.
Kynthia Brooks
Discipline: Social Work
State: Texas
Kynthia specializes in the development and implementation of programs and policies that enhance the well-being of mothers and children. She also focuses on family social structure work to address the unique needs of families by understanding how social, cultural, and economic factors shape their health outcomes.
Dara Lewis, Ph.D.
Discipline: Sociology
State: Maryland
Dr. Lewis' research focuses on the impact of mass incarceration on fatherhood and father identity.
Jewel Wakefield, LCSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Illinois
Jewel Wakefield is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over six years of experience in advocacy, crisis intervention, and mental health support. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work at Baylor University, her research focuses on Black family systems, coping and resiliency, and the unique experiences of Black women.
Paula Marie Powe, MD
Discipline: Psychiatry
State: Pennsylvania
Dr. Powe is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who focuses on infant mental health. Her research aims to increase support and engagement of black fathers in home-visiting programs that decrease risk factors for early childhood adversity and toxic stress.
Toni-Ann Lee, MPH, BSc. PT, Doctoral Candidate
Discipline: Public Health
Country: Jamaica
Toni-Ann Lee is a results-oriented mental health advocate and lifelong learner with a passion for improving health outcomes, particularly in the areas of mental health, maternal and child health, and health equity. Toni's research interests include a focus on paternal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on caregiving and father-child relationships.
Brittany Hinkle, Ph.D., M.Ed, NCC
Discipline: Counseling Psychology
State: Ohio
Dr. Hinkle's current research includes investigating the functioning of African American children, adolescents, couples, and families regarding communication, parenting, parent-child relationships, and diverse family structures. Brittany is also interested in policy and research that informs her practice in infant mental health.
Brandie Bentley, Ph.D., MSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Michigan
Dr. Bentley’s research uses a systems-level lens to investigate racial disparities in the Early Intervention program, a federally funded service system that meets the specialized needs of children with developmental delays and disabilities. She seeks to use her research as a tool for enhancing community systems development efforts that work to improve outcomes for Black families.
Diamond J. Cunningham, MPH
Discipline: Public Health
State: Louisiana
Diamond is a PhD candidate in Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences at the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University. Her research is focused on Black maternal health disparities and the role of Black fathers during the "fourth trimester." She is also currently investigating how justice system involvement affects Black fathers' ability to support maternal health outcomes.
Tysheira D. Wanser, LCSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Pennsylvania
Tysheira is a licensed clinical social worker with 9 years of experience providing case management, crisis intervention, and mental health therapy to individuals and families. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work at Baylor University with interests in family violence, in particular the posttraumatic growth and resilience of adult survivors who witnessed domestic violence in childhood.
Heather A. Jones, LCSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Illinois
Heather's research centers on understanding the repercussions of chronic trauma on the mental well-being of Black families and its influence on family structure and dynamics. Her current work investigates the expression and transmission of depression within families, with particular attention to how depressive symptoms, coping strategies, and emotional patterns are transmitted across generations.
August Jenkins, Ph.D.
Discipline: Human Development & Family Science
State: Alabama
Dr. Jenkins' research broadly investigates the connections among racism and oppressive systems, relationship functioning, and mental-emotional health for Black Americans over time.
Chiquita Whittington, LMSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Michigan
Chiquita V. Whittington, LMSW is a dedicated social worker, educator, and advocate with a passion for empowering young adults, particularly those from foster care and non-traditional backgrounds. She is particularly interested in exploring the relationships between Black mothers and daughters and their influence on generational trends and behaviors.
Shawndaya Thrasher, Ph.D.
Discipline: Social Work
State: Louisiana
Dr. Thrasher’s research examines socio-ecological, intersectional, and intergenerational risk and protective factors that contribute to youth violence and violence-related outcomes, with an emphasis on racial/ethnic minorities, marginalized populations, and the important role of Black Fathers.
Shaneen Moore, Ph.D.
Discipline: Management and Public Service Leadership
State: Minnesota
Dr. Shaneen D. Moore is the newly appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Family Well-being Administration for the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Her career interest in the area of children and family services began many years ago, as she has always been interested in the needs of children and their families. Dr. Moore is an equity champion in leading key initiatives and in moving the work forward ensuring it is a priority in Minnesota’s human service program delivery system focusing on improving the lives of children and families.
Erica David, LCSW
Discipline: Social Work
State: Texas
Erica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with eight years of professional experience in social work and over 15 years of service to military veterans. She specializes in mental health and crisis intervention and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree at the University of Kentucky. Her research explores the vital role fathers play in African American families, focusing on promoting mental health and resilience.
