Life & Work with Dr. Clarissa Francis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Clarissa Francis.

Hi Dr. Francis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a scholar, healer, and pleasure activist. My work is personal to my lived experiences as a Black woman having limited information on sexual and reproductive health experiencing shame and restrictions around my body, sexuality, and pleasure. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio, with Jamaican heritage, courtesy of my father’s roots in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I grew up in a religious, Christian home as a preacher’s kid with a lot of questions around health, the body, and womanhood. Early on, I was encouraged to do my own research to answer my questions. My fascination with reproductive health and the human body intensified in high school. As I delved into understanding menstruation, sex, pregnancy, and childbirth, I became an unofficial health peer educator in high school, sharing information with friends and family members. As we began having more experiences, I would research information that could be useful to us. Initially aspiring to become a psychiatrist addressing the psychological effects of slavery in Black communities, I sought a deeper understanding of the experiences within the Africana Diaspora. While my initial interest in sexual health education stemmed from personal experiences, it evolved into a commitment to addressing health disparities prevalent in Black communities.

At Bowling Green State University (BGSU), I completed training to become a health peer educator to offer presentations on diverse health topics, such as mental health, sexual health, substance use, and chronic illnesses. I learned that African Americans accounted for higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and chronic illnesses, such as heart disease. I began incorporating health as a focus for my research in Africana Studies. I became more interested in stress management when learning about the connection between stress and heart disease. At the age of 33, my father transitioned from a heart attack when I was five years old. After the transition of my father, my mother became proactive in monitoring family members’ blood pressure and implementing healthier lifestyle choices, such as eating more fruits and vegetables. My maternal grandmother worked as a nurse until she retired in 1996 from Cleveland Clinic. The exposure to health consciousness from my mother and maternal grandmother, coupled with lessons of herbal healing from my Jamaican family members, contributed to my desire to pursue a comprehensive and holistic understanding of wellness and healing.

In 2010, I moved to Atlanta to pursue my masters in Africana Women’s Studies at the illustrious Clark Atlanta University (CAU). As a graduate assistant in CAU’s health center and collaborating with nurse educator and author, Karla Scipio, I assisted with training health peer educators and organizing health programs across the campus and metro-Atlanta area. This experience affirmed my passion for studying Black women’s sexuality and addressing health disparities. Transformative courses in Africana Women’s Studies, coupled with life in Atlanta, steered my journey towards healing and advocating for Black women’s sexual liberation. During my last year at CAU, I initiated a self-care campaign, “Back to Serenity,” incorporating stress management and wellness practices into my routine. I felt that my time in school, work, and personal experiences contributed to high levels of stress and depression. I began incorporating stress management and wellness practices into my routine, such as yoga, exercise, and massages. Serenity is a name I am also known as, which is an affirmation: I am serenity. I later pursued a career in massage therapy, reiki energy healing, and conscious erotic touch to my holistic approach to well-being and healing, bringing my interests full circle. 

In 2021, I completed my Ph.D. journey in Human Sexuality at the California Institute of Integral Studies, centering my dissertation on Black women’s sexual liberation, identified as the Hot Girl Movement. My goal is to provide guidance and foster relationships for professionals invested in the Hot Girl Movement, ultimately contributing to the elimination of barriers hindering Black women’s sexual liberation.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path to becoming “The Real Hot Girl Doc” was not an easy path, but each experience resonated with my role as a scholar, healer, and activist. On a personal level, I struggled with acceptance and expressing my sexuality, a struggle rooted in the internalized oppression faced by Black women. Growing up, I internalized negative messages about Black women’s bodies, sexuality, and pleasure, fostering a mindset that discouraged open exploration and expression of my sexuality.

Overcoming this internalized struggle became a pivotal moment that shaped my identity as a sexuality professional. In my workshops, I begin each session by asking attendees to reflect on the messages they received about their bodies, sexuality, and pleasure. It is common for Black women to recount experiences of negative, limited, or entirely absent messaging. For instance, many have been advised to abstain from sex until marriage and avoid pregnancy. Following discussions on sexual shame, inadequate information on sex, and experiences of trauma, I guide participants toward healing modalities that align with their beliefs. This may involve connecting with professionals such as tantra practitioners, spiritual advisors, and licensed therapists. By encouraging individuals to explore avenues that resonate with their values, I aim to empower them in their journey toward healing and self-discovery.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I can share more about the Hot Girl Movement. I define sexual liberation as the pursuit of bodily autonomy (control of the body), sexual freedom (ability to say yes or no to a sexual act or expression and it be honored), and pleasure (self-defining what feels good). I am known for my work in the Hot Girl Movement. My involvement in the Hot Girl Movement is grounded in my personal journey sparked by the inspiration of Megan “Thee Stallion” Pete’s “Hot Girl Summer” and adrienne maree brown’s pleasure activism, and the advocacy work of sexuality professionals in Atlanta. Centering Black women’s sexual liberation is a collective endeavor involving scholars, mental health practitioners, healing professionals, activists, and influencers.

I am most proud of the responses from Black women when I discuss the Hot Girl Movement, creating an instant connection by embracing my authentic self. Navigating various spaces in academia, public health, and healing, I recognize the pressure to conform to predefined professional norms. As someone situated in multiple spaces and embracing my multifaceted, personal approach, I challenge the idea of fitting into a singular box. In 2022, I self-published my debut book, “Phreak Like Me: Becoming The Real Hot Girl Doc,” a memoir delving into my personal healing journey. In the same year, I launched an apparel line celebrating the core tenets of the Hot Girl Movement: bodily autonomy (“My Body”), sexual agency (“My Choice”), and pleasure (“My Pleasure”). My ultimate mission is to create safe spaces where Black women can confront intergenerational trauma, reclaim control over their bodies, and wholeheartedly say yes to their serenity!

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My current offerings include workshops, training sessions, and consulting services covering health disparities, sexual liberation, mental health, and peer education tailored for Black women, youth, and marginalized groups. Looking forward, I anticipate collaborating with fellow scholars, practitioners, activists, and influencers on future publications and advocacy initiatives as we collectively strive to dismantle systems of oppression and continuing to do real hot girl sh-t!

Contact Info:

• Website: therealhotgirldoc.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/therealhotgirldoc & instagram.com/thehotgirlmovement
• Facebook: facebook.com/therealhotgirldoc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-francis-phd
• Youtube: youtube.com/@thehotgirlmovement
• Other: linktr.ee/TheRealHotGirlDoc