Jameka Hartley

Jameka Hartley is the Schiller Family Assistant Professor in Race in Art and Design and an Assistant Professor of History, Philosophy, and Social Science at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Her interdisciplinary work merges Black feminist scholarship with creative practices, focusing on representations of Black women and girls, motherhood, and social justice. Previously a social worker, her research critiques systemic misrepresentations and advocates for marginalized voices through auto-ethnography and qualitative methods.

Her research interests emphasize Black motherhood, intersectionality, and reproductive justice, informed by her clinical background. Key themes include cultural narratives, stigma, and the sociohistorical contexts shaping Black familial structures. Hartley’s publications explore topics ranging from pandemic impacts to historical emancipation struggles, reflecting her commitment to counternarratives.

Her work appears in International Review of Qualitative Research and the upcoming anthology Maternal Connections. She is on sabbatical during Fall 2025.