Community-Engaged Urban Sociologist & Postdoctoral Fellow
OLA KALU
ABOUT
Scholar, educator, and advocate for justice.
Ola Kalu, PhD, EdS, is a community-engaged urban sociologist and postdoctoral fellow at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Penn Medicine. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University at Albany, SUNY, producing a dissertation titled "Southern Divides: A Multilevel Exploration of Gentrification’s Role in School Re-segregation." Dr. Kalu's work examines how race, place, and policy converge to shape disparities in education, maternal health, and community well-being. Her postdoctoral scholarship explores how community violence, healthcare harm, and educational exclusion affect Black youth and maternal health outcomes. Outside of academia, Dr. Kalu is also the founder of The Black Repro Space, a platform committed to empowering Black women with resources and education at every stage of their reproductive journey.
RESEARCH
Exploring how race, place, and policy shape community health and education.
Dr. Kalu's research is deeply interdisciplinary, bridging urban sociology, education policy, public health, Black feminist thought, and equity-focused frameworks to examine how systemic barriers shape educational, health, and social outcomes. She uses mixed methods research, combining spatial analysis, big data modeling, critical ethnography, and narrative inquiry to investigate the following themes:
OUTPUTS
Selected works advancing equity and community well-being.
From peer-reviewed articles to media interviews and community reports, the outputs of Dr. Kalu's work highlight her dedication to community-engaged research that informs practice, challenges structural barriers, and amplifies underrepresented voices to create a far-reaching impact.
CONSULTING
Partnering with institutions and changemakers to empower communities.
Dr. Kalu offers consulting services in grant writing, curriculum design, policy evaluation, and community research. Dedicated to assisting organizations in promoting education, public health, and equity, she collaborates with schools, nonprofits, and public institutions to identify equity gaps, secure funding, and develop inclusive, evidence-based programs that drive meaningful change. Dr. Kalu's work combines data analysis, community insights, and clear communication to translate research into strategic action and develop solutions that have a lasting impact for her clients and their beneficiaries.
CONTACT
Partner and connect for impact.
Contact Dr. Kalu to inquire about her research activities, consulting services, and potential collaboration opportunities. Kindly complete the brief form, and she will subsequently reach out to you.