TISHA FELDER, PHD, MSW

Tisha Felder, PhD, MSW, is deeply committed to advancing breastfeeding equity, a cause that is both personally and professionally significant to her. Our newest CHAMPion is a behavioral scientist and Associate Professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Health and Nursing Science at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing (CON), and co-founder of the initiative Mocha Mamas Milk®. Dr. Felder’s work is informed by her interdisciplinary training in sociology, social work, and public health and her personal breastfeeding experiences as a Black mother.

A South Carolina native, Dr. Felder’s community-engaged research focuses on addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities in breastfeeding and breast cancer among Black women. In 2014, Dr. Felder co-founded Mocha Mamas Milk®, a research team promoting breastfeeding among South Carolina Black families through research and support. Currently (2023-2025), she is the Project Lead for Breastfeeding Equity SC, a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)-funded project establishing a sustainable breast/chest feeding equity research and support network to address the persistent breastfeeding disparities among Black families in South Carolina. In addition to research, Dr. Felder is passionate about mentoring students and enhancing diversity in the maternal health and scientific workforce. She is a proud wife and mother of three.

When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Dr. Felder shared, “I enjoy that I get to focus my research on finding solutions to reduce breastfeeding disparities, an issue that is so important to me. I also love working closely with Black families, lactation providers, birth workers, and other community members to get their input to ensure my research and community-engaged activities are relevant and trustworthy.”

CHEER is inspired by Dr. Felder’s innovative work to address racial/ethnic disparities in maternal-child health. We are honored to recognize her as our CHAMPion of the Week!