Adina Ekwerike has worked in maternal and child health for over 34 years. Within her medical studies, she has focused on nutrition science and the effect the length of stay in foster care has on a child’s health.
Dr. Ekwerike wrote her doctorate on “Increasing Permanent Home Placements for Children with Disabilities in Foster Care.” She currently works as an administrator with the Philadelphia Department of Health, where she advocates for maternal, child and family health issues. Additionally, Dr. Ekwerike is exploring methods to mitigate racial disparities in the workforce.
What is a defining moment in your career and life?
There is no one defining moment for me, as every moment has led me to where I am today. Throughout my career and life, I consider myself a leader who championed issues affecting women, infants and children, and this journey has evolved into my current situations. At present, I am occupying two work roles, as the acting administrator in the Philadelphia Health Department. Like many youth, my journey began with helping my parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and siblings,
while doing odd jobs and earning a few coins here and there as a thank you for a job well done. I remember my first paycheck at age 13 and wanting to save the world.
What challenges have you faced as a woman of color in your field and how did you overcome them?
The challenges I faced as a woman of color in my field began with hearing common phrases such as “you people” and “you do not belong in this class.”
This was a painful lesson to learn about cultural stereotypes and explicit bias as they have been used by others to consciously and deliberatively attack my very being. Name calling and classification standards are a clear indication to discriminate.
As a policymaker, I am pursuing methods to mitigate the unintended effects of biases to overcome these challenges. I continue to share my difficulties with my family and about having good intentions that can translate into positive action.
What woman inspires you and why?
Three women inspire me the most: Grandma Adina Lawrence, Mama Hazel Isabel, and Ma’am Priscilla Ekwerike. These are phenomenal women who have made differences in my life.
They are kind at heart, passionate, understanding, immensely caring, and with an infinite amount of wisdom.
What is your advice to the younger generation of women coming after you?
The younger generation of women must know that life is challenging and it does require dedication and hard work. I encourage them to stay in their faith and connect themselves to sources of inspiration that lead to good outcomes. I encourage my daughter to talk through her challenges as often the answers she seeks are within her.
What does being a part of the African Diaspora mean to you?
My life revolves around the African Diaspora as my West Indian heritage is among those descendants from the western region of Africa. How befitting it is the love of my life and husband for 29 years, Professor O. Dennis Ekwerike is from that region. I thank FunTimes and so many others work to enlighten communities and dispel stereotypes about Africa.
However, as individuals are learning about their genetic identity, they are not hearing the history of the major hubs from the transatlantic slave trade of their descendants. More doors need to be open for people in the African Diaspora to return home.
