Celebrating Dr. Nnemkadi Akinwale’s Successful Dissertation Defense!

We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Nnemkadi Akinwale on the March 3rd defense of her dissertation, Exploring Young Black Women’s Birthing Experiences in Hospitals in Abstinence-Based States: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study. Her dissertation was chaired by Dr. Michael Sinclair, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Morgan State University. 

Dr. Akinwale’s research sheds light on the Black maternal health crisis in the United States, where Black women face disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. Her study explores how comprehensive sex education (CSE)—or the lack thereof—impacts young Black women’s ability to navigate pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, particularly in abstinence-based states where CSE curricula often exclude vital maternal health information.

Through qualitative phenomenological research, Dr. Akinwale examines how young Black women perceive their birth experiences in hospital settings and whether existing education standards equip them with the skills needed for maternal health advocacy. By applying Critical Race Theory (CRT) and intersectionality, her study highlights the systemic barriers Black women face and proposes a framework that could improve sex education to better prepare future generations for childbirth.

Dr. Akinwale’s work is an important contribution to Black maternal health research and education reform. Her findings have the potential to reshape the conversation around health education, hospital birthing experiences, and maternal advocacy, ensuring that young Black women have the knowledge and skills to advocate for themselves in medical settings.

Congratulations, Dr. Akinwale! Your research is an inspiring step toward equity in maternal healthcare, and we look forward to seeing the impact of your work. 

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Akinwale’s research, please contact her at mejac15@morgan.edu.