Black Lactation Specialists: Your Voices are Needed

Monét Kees, MPPA, CBS, a member of North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition and doctoral candidate at Mississippi State University, requests our assistance in a research study that she is currently conducting for her dissertation. She is searching for Black lactation professionals to participate in a doctoral research study about the experiences of Black lactation professionals in the human lactation workforce while considering the intersections of race, gender, and professional identity.

The study focuses on the lived experiences of Black lactation professionals in the human lactation workforce providing lactation services in the Southern region of the United States. The following information summarizes the study and what it involves: 

  • Study Details: The purpose of this research study is to explore Black lactation professionals’ lived experiences in human lactation education and practice and the educational support to aid in anti-racism approaches in future human lactation education and practice. This phenomenological research will be conducted through interviews and a focus group. 
  • Participation: Participation is voluntary and will involve completing a 5-7 minute questionnaire. If selected for participation, you will have the option to take part in either a one-on-one interview or a focus group. 
  • Benefits: By participating in this study, you can contribute to scientific research in human lactation education. Additionally, the findings from this research may provide valuable insights that can inform future initiatives and programs within the field of lactation. 
  • Compensation: Upon completion of the study, you will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 5 e-gift cards for your time. 
  • Confidentiality and Ethical Considerations: Participants’ identities will be protected, and all data will be anonymized and used only for research purposes. The study has been approved by the Mississippi State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), ensuring that all ethical guidelines and standards are followed. 

Eligibility criteria includes:

  • 18+ years old
  • English-speaking
  • Identify as Black/African American
  • Have an active lactation certification
  • Located in the South (AL, AR, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, or WV)

To sign up, please visit bit.ly/3PS4VC8. Questions can be directed to dmg130@msstate.edu.