We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Gabrielle Evans-Mitchell and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Gabrielle, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Reading! A few months after finishing my doctoral program, I started reading for pleasure again. I don’t set a reading goal because I want to enjoy the journey. I love getting lost in a book and forgetting about everything else that may be going on in real life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Gabrielle Evans-Mitchell, a sexuality researcher, educator, and proud citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. What makes my work unique is that I bridge research with real-life application, ensuring findings don’t just stay in academic journals but reach people through workshops, social media, and conversations that speak to their lived experiences. My focus is on culturally grounded, trauma-informed approaches that support Indigenous adolescents and young adults in navigating sexual health and well-being. As a first-generation Indigenous scholar from a rural tribal community, I value making information both relatable and empowering, ensuring communities have access to knowledge that affirms identity, honors culture, and fosters healthy futures.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I thought I had to please others at my own expense. Now, I know honoring my own boundaries is just as important as showing up for others.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were several times I almost gave up, losing close family members during undergrad and navigating the challenges of pursuing a doctorate. But every time I felt like quitting, I remembered why I started. I wasn’t just doing it for myself. I was doing it for every Indigenous person who felt they didn’t belong, for my childhood best friend whose life was cut short, and for all our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. That purpose kept me going.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Most definitely! I may be a little more polished in public, but I don’t believe in using big, fancy words or being put on a pedestal just because I have a doctorate. I’m still that same country girl from rural eastern North Carolina.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
What would remain is my identity as a Haliwa-Saponi woman, my love for community, and my commitment to creating spaces where Indigenous people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drgabriellesemora.com
- Instagram: @dr.gabriellesemora
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