Thank you for visiting my web site. As a social science researcher, health educator, web designer, and President/CEO & Founder of Helping Our Teen Girls In Real Life Situations, Inc. (HOTGIRLS), I conduct research on public health issues and youth culture, educate youth about health and social justice issues, and design health programs and web sites. This site provides information about my background and upcoming events, speaking engagements/lectures, and projects. I will also share my thinking about issues related to youth culture, media literacy, body image, sexuality, and the health and well-being of women and girls. Resources for parents and adult allies will be provided as this site evolves. I hope you enjoy your visit and find the information and resources to be interesting and valuable.

Click here to view the site map.

Peace and blessings,

Carla Stokes

Latest News

Featured Press Coverage:

Hit by HIV, black women reach in to cope, out to empower
Star-Telegram, August 3, 2008

Above: Girls Talk Over Issues in Eve's Circle (coverage of Dr. Carla's keynote and workshop)
Montgomery Advertiser, July 19, 2008

Lifting Up, Giving Back: Changing One Life at a Time, The Crisis, Spring 2008 (pp. 30-33)

Dr. Stokes' HOTGIRLS: Researcher Uses Hip Hop to Educate Young People, American Sexuality magazine, May 6, 2008

For Clues on Teenage Sex, Experts Look to Hip-Hop
New York Times, November 6, 2007

* Click here to download my research article, "Representin’ in cyberspace: Sexual scripts, self-definition, and hip hop culture in black American adolescent girls' home pages."

Recent Speaking Engagements

• Panelist: Marketing Healthy Lifestyles to Youth, Southern Obesity Summit, Birmingham, AL
• Workshops: Healthy Dating and Helping Others Help Themselves, Girls Scouts Leadership Institute, Indianapolis, IN.
• Keynote address: S.W.A.G.G.: What It Really Is and How To Keep It
  Workshop: Real Talk About Hip Hop. Eve's Circle "I Am Worth It" Conference, Montgomery, AL.
  

Photos

Above: Dr. Carla with HOTGIRLS Girls' Leadership Council Graduates
From left: Sesyli, Amber, Jakia, Jazzmyn, Dr. Carla, Aria

Dr. Carla's Photo Album