She earned her doctorate in educational psychology from Temple University in 2004 where she also worked as a research associate for the Center for Research in Human Development and Education. Her research is focused on the Black diaspora and the role of gender, spirituality, and class in identity formation and as a predictor of social and academic outcomes. She has written several book chapters and articles in line with her research interests and is a reviewer for a number of academic journals. She also served as a co-editor for a special issue of the Journal of Research Practice on autoethnography. She owns and manages Intelligent Solutions, an educational research consulting practice in Philadelphia.