Shemeka Thorpe

Dr. Shemeka Thorpe is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, specializing in sexuality education and research focused on Black women’s sexual well-being and reproductive health. She holds a PhD in Community Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her work integrates sex-positive frameworks and community-based participatory action research, notably leading The Big Sex Study and the Pain and Pleasure Study—the first examining Black women’s sexual pain. A Co-Investigator on NIMHD-funded research, she emphasizes making academic findings accessible to Black communities via social media.

Education:

• PhD in Community Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Professional training in sexuality education and public health

Research Interests:

Dr. Thorpe’s research explores Black women’s sexual health through lenses of intimate justice and sex-positive advocacy. Key themes include:

• Sexual pain and pleasure dynamics
• Impact of cultural messaging on sexual attitudes
• Healthcare access and provider-patient communication barriers
• Intersectional approaches to Black women’s mental and sexual health

Awards & Recognition:

• Buzzfeed’s Top 25 Black Sexologists (2021)
• PleazeMe’s Top 100 Sexperts (#11, 2021)
• Editorial roles at American Journal of Sexuality Education and Journal of Sexual Wellness and Counseling Sexology

Grants & Leadership:

Serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for the Pain and Pleasure Study and Co-Investigator (Co-I) on NIH-funded projects. Her work bridges academic research with community engagement through workshops, podcasts, and social media platforms.