T. Martina Porter, Ph.D.

I am Dr. T. Martina Porter, PhD, MSW, a social work educator, researcher, and advocate with more than 33 years of experience serving children, families, and communities. My expertise includes foster care, adoption, kinship care, child welfare, higher education, and military families.

My current research interests focus on Black maternal health, pregnancy experiences, and the medical bias Black women encounter. I am committed to advancing equitable healthcare outcomes and ensuring that Black women’s voices and experiences are heard, respected, and valued.

I serve as the Graduate Advisor for the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, where I mentor collegiate women in scholarship, leadership, and service. I have been a proud member of the sorority for 19 years. I am also the founder of Dipped in Ivy™, a handcrafted gift and keepsake business that reflects my love of creativity and creating meaningful pieces for life’s special moments.

In my personal time, I enjoy crafting, cooking, baking, and completing 1,000-piece puzzles. My next professional journey is becoming a birth doula, furthering my lifelong passion for supporting women, strengthening families, and helping ensure that every child can thrive in a safe, loving, and permanent home.