PhD · LICSW · CST · Keynote Speaker · Two-Time Author

Dr. Donna Oriowo

The Truth. The Tools. The transformation.

Dr. Donna Oriowo is a certified sex therapist, international keynote speaker, award winning DEI advocate, and two time published author at the intersection of Black mental health, sexuality, self-esteem, and racial justice. She will make you laugh, tell the truth, and leave you with something you will actually use.

Book Dr. Donna to Speak
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Past Stages & Partnerships

Essence Festival · Planned Parenthood (various) · Columbia University · Dartmouth College · Georgetown University · Washington University · Healthy Teen Network · NC Sexual Conference · National Sex Ed Conference · Therapy for Black Girls · The Loveland Foundation

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MEET DR. DONNA ORIOWO

Therapist. Speaker. Author. Educator.

Dr. Donna Oriowo is a first-gen, first-born, Nigerian-American therapist, international keynote speaker, and two-time published author whose work lives at the intersection of mental health, self-esteem, sexuality, and racial justice.

With her PhD in Human Sexuality, license for clinical social work, and her certification for sex therapy, Dr. Donna brings educational and clinical rigor along with cultural specificity into every room she enters— from the corporate space to community healing circles, you get more than you asked for when you work with her.

She is the author of Drink Water & Mind Your Business: A Black Woman’s Guide to Unlearning the BS and Healing Self-Esteem (Sourcebooks, 2025) and Cocoa Butter & Hair Grease: A Self-Love Journey Through Hair and Skin (2019)

Learn More About Dr. Donna

New from Sourcebooks— May 2025

A Black Woman’s Guide To Unlearning The BS and Healing Your Self-Esteem

Drink Water & Mind Your Business:

Real self-esteem— beyond the binary and beyond your wallet. This book is the clinical framework Black women deserve, at a price that doesn’t require a co-pay.

“ A must read.” — Emily Nagoski, PhD, NYT bestselling author of Come As You Are

Get the Book

For Black Womxn

For Black Womxn

Work With Dr. Donna

Three Ways in.

  • Dr. Donna is a clinically licensed social worker and certified sex therapist offering individual and couples therapy in Maryland and DC.

    She also hosts In My Black Feelings — a free bi-weekly community space for Black women who need space to learn together and be in their feelings.

    • Therapy Info —> HERE

    • In My Black Feelings —> HERE

  • Dr. Donna is an international keynote speaker with 12+ keynotes and 100+ engagements across conferences, universities, and organizations.

    For organizations ready to go deeper, the DOPE program is a multi-phase DEI consulting engagement program— not just a training day.

    • Book a keynote —> HERE

    • Learn about DOPE —> HERE

  • Come outside-outside with Dr. Donna!

    The Plan to Orgasm Retreat (October 2026) is a three-part experience for the woman tired of living a life she needs to escape from.

    The Out Of Office Retreat (2027) is for the sexuality and mental health professional who need a break with people who get it in a space curated for rest.

    These digital (and physical) tools include things like the 30 Day Masturbation Guide— are available in the shop for self-paced work that makes a difference.

    • The PTO Retreat —> HERE

    • Check out the Toolbox—> HERE

BOOKINGS & APPEARANCES

Ready to Bring Dr. Donna into your space?

Whether you want to talk about mental health, race, sex, self-esteem or all of the above AT ONCE— without the weirdness or it feeling about as interesting as watching paint dry— Dr. Donna is the speaker who will get your people into their feelings and give them the tools to do something about it.

She is thought-provoking, transformative, clinically grounded, culturally on point, and funny-ish enough to disrupt the space so change can happen.

See Speaking Topics & Availability

Testimonials

  • Pushed To New Levels!

    "Working with Dr. Donna Oriowo and AnnodRight pushed our equity work to a new level — she held healing spaces for our POC staff as an antidote to our predominantly White organization."

    — Ashley P. Booker, EVP Learning & Impact, Planned Parenthood North Central States

  • I'm attending!

    As a trainer myself, I sometimes wonder “is now the right time for small groups? Paired discussion? Large group movement?” and Dr. Oriowo absolutely nailed each selection. Beyond appreciating the topic presented in its own right, I admired the thought that went into presenting a session for such a large group...Watching her facilitation skills leaves me thinking that if she is on the agenda, I'm attending, whatever the topic.

    -William "Bill" Taverner

    Executive Director for the Center of Sex Ed

  • "Amazing! I learned so much from her webinar in general. "

    Admittedly, this is a conversation I dread having. This webinar addressed my own narrative around my children being sexual beings and how that was impacting my ability to effectively have this conversation and support them in informed decision-making. Dr. Donna guides you through tackling your fears and own narrative around sex and sexuality. The talk is for anyone who is connected to youth. Fear doesn’t prepare our youth to navigate their own sexual identity and if we don’t, someone else will. Have the talk. Let Dr. Donna help you!

    -Dr. Ajita Robinson

    Sex Talk Parent Edition Training Participant

  • "Dr. Donna’s light, fun, visuals were on point in a room full of black women!"

    Goal Digging Webinar participant

  • I loved the presentation,

    I think the dating advice or at least learning how to talk to your family and friends about the topic was helpful as well.

  • I appreciated the reminder and the amount of information and examples about the standards of beauty being around light skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. I teach classes to girls and adults (mostly their moms) together, and want to make sure I incorporate some of this info into that class so we can keep expanding the definition of “normal” and “beauty”.

    Amy J.

    Snatched Edges Why Black Hair Matters in Sex Ed Training Participant

  • "I have learned so much."

    This was the most productive, relevant and timely training I have attended. It challenged me and pushed me to do some REAL personal work. Thank you !!!

    Brittany

    The Darker The Berry Training Participant

  • "This was a powerful training"

    I feel like I can have those conversations as a black woman and not feel so judged. I learned about racial identity and how to integrate race and culture into sex ed work. I also learned more about intersectionality and how/where I fit in!

    Sasha

    The Darker The Berry Training Participant

  • "Illuminative and transforming"

    I had an opportunity to hear Dr. Donna speak the National Sex Ed Conference in 2017 and her presentation was illuminative and transforming. Her discussion about negotiating race and some of the challenges that exist for people of color was sobering and refreshing. I’m looking forward to future collaborations with her.”

    -Dr. James Wadley

    Editor in Chief of the Journal Of Black Sexuality and Relationships

Upcoming Events

CHECK OUT THE EVENTS PAGE TO KNOW WHAT ELSE IS COMING UP!

  • In My Black Feelings

    Tuesdays at noon (12 pm edt)

    This community is for you if you identify as a Black woman who is ready to be in space with other Black women. Here, you are encouraged to be authentic, say what you need to say to feel present, and be in your black feelings!

    Join the Conversation

  • Self-Esteem Ain't Self Taught

    It’s like the title says: self esteem isn’t self-taught. This class is for mental health professionals looking to expand the way they work on self-esteem with their clients.

    Next class will be September 3, 2026

    Register for the Class

  • PTO Retreat

    October 2026

    Ready to get away for a lil P.T.O?

    And no, I don’t just mean Paid Time Off. I mean creating your Plan To Orgasm. As in, your life, not just your bedroom. This 3 part retreat is for you if you are tired of just going along to get along and don’t want to keep living a life you need to escape from. Click below to learn more and submit your application

    Click Here