Areas of Interest/Research
- Gender, race, medicine, and community histories in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Contact Information
Background
Dr. Alyssa Cole is an Assistant Professor in African American Studies, specializing in the intersections of history, health activism, and Black communities in the Midwest. Dr. Cole completed her Ph.D. in history at the University of Kansas, where she also received an M.A. in African and African American Studies.
Dr. Cole’s research focuses on health activism, exploring the historical context and contemporary implications of Black individuals and communities advocating for better health outcomes. Her current work, “Movement before the Movement: Black Women’s Health Activism in Kansas City, 1900-1940” explores the roles of Black women who advocated for health equity during the early twentieth century. Her research explores the intersections of race, class, and gender, and highlights the agency of Black individuals in their pursuit of health equity.
In Fall 2023, Dr. Cole will teach “Health, Equity, and Community” which will explore the roles of Black communities and their health activism during the twentieth century. She will teach courses on Black women’s history and twentieth-century African American history during the Spring 2024 semester.