معرفی
Dr. Kamesha Spates is the William S. Dietrich II Chair and Associate Professor at the Department of Africana Studies, University of Pittsburgh, and previously held roles at Kent State University. Her research focuses on health equity, structural racism, and mental health disparities in Black communities. She leads the Racial Justice and Health Equity Research and Education Collaborative (RJHEREC), which trains students and scholars on addressing the impacts of structural oppression.
Education:
- PhD in Sociology, Texas A&M University
- MS in Sociology, Texas A&M University
- BA in Applied Sociology, Northern Illinois University
Research Interests: Dr. Spates explores intersectionality, anti-Black racism, trauma, and suicide prevention in Black communities. Her work bridges transdisciplinary and translational science to inform policy and community initiatives. Recent studies include the mental health impacts of police violence on Black youth and resilience strategies among Congolese refugees.
Article Trends: Her publications emphasize structural racism’s health consequences, refugee resettlement challenges, and gendered racism’s psychological toll. She uses qualitative methods to center marginalized voices in public health discourse.
Awards:
- Northern Illinois University Esteemed Alumnus Award (2022)
- Kent State Women’s Center Award (2014)
- Purdue Pre-tenure Fellowship (2012-2013)
Advising & Grants: Dr. Spates has mentored over 20 graduate and undergraduate students, guiding research on topics like prenatal care access and Black men’s healthcare experiences. Her grants include community-engaged suicide prevention projects in Northeast Ohio and collaborative studies on trauma in Kenya.
Labs/Teams: As RJHEREC director, she collaborates with institutions like KCA University in Kenya and local health boards. Her work integrates academic research with grassroots activism to drive systemic change.
