Kenyetta Dotson, DMIN, MSW

Kenyetta Dotson1 200x801

Community Outreach Specialist

Dr. Kenyetta Dotson, DMIN, MSW, is the Director of Community-based Implementation and Engagement for Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. Kenyetta is a lifelong resident of Flint, MI, and she is deeply rooted as a community organizer, veteran, and woman of faith. She encourages positive systemic change throughout the City of Flint, Genesee County, and extends her assets of time, talents, treasures, and gifts to serve our smallest and most vulnerable citizens. Dotson has over 30 years of community development experience, advocating for youth, families, and those susceptible to the culture of violence. These skills and qualities were developed in her pursuit of higher education, which began at Mott Community College, reinforced at the University of Michigan – Flint, and further strengthened through completing a Master of Social Work Degree from Michigan State University and a doctoral degree in Black Church and African American Studies at Ashland University.  

She is the Co-Chair of the Community Advisory Board for the Flint Registry, leads the Pediatric Public Health Youth Advisory Council, is an active Nationwide and local Violence Prevention Network member, and serves on many other non-profit and community boards. Dotson has been highly effective and successful in building healthy working relationships and establishing a strong foundation of trust. This trust embraces new and existing community partners throughout Flint, Genesee County, and the State of Michigan. This vast network of organizations, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and community leaders helps establish effective outreach and engagement strategies that have proven effective and impactful. Substantially increasing the presence and relationships of the Registry and the Public Health Initiative in the community and among Flint residents and their families, to name a few.

When Dotson is not fearlessly working on improving the quality of life for others, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, attending church, and watching movies outdoors. She embraces her downtime to recharge and refocus to remain the voice of change. Her quotes are, “Change Begins With Me, Get Involved and Make a Difference.” Shen stands by the idea that “Everybody is somebody.”

Selected Media Coverage

Scholarly Interests

  • Sustainable community development practices in urban communities
  • Poverty and the social determinants of health
  • Health and wellness resources for communities affected by lead-contaminated water
  • Gun violence prevention
  • Neighborhood safety and healthy lifestyle alternatives to support youths and families
  • Behavioral health and substance abuse disorders

Connect

  • Email: dotsonk2@msu.edu
  • Address:
    Charles Stewart Mott
    Department of Public Health
    College of Human Medicine,
    Michigan State University
    200 East 1st St
    Flint, MI 48502

Community Affiliations

  • National & Local Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce
  • Flint Township Board of Review
  • Flint Child Health and Development Fund Advisory Board
  • Voices for Children, Planning Committee  
  • Flint Lead Exposure Registry, Co-Chair
  • Flint Water Communications Team

Education

Doctor of Theology, Ashland University, Cleveland, OH

Master of Social Work, Michigan State University, Flint, MI

Bachelor of Applied Science, University of Michigan, Flint, MI