Real conversations about confidence, culture, and connection, rooted in research and real life.
• Community Psychologist
• Educator
• Speaker
• Cultural Translator
About
DR. MAC
Professor meets Homegirl.
Dr. Hareder McDowell, PhD ("Dr. Mac"), is a cultural educator and community psychologist who is transforming the conversation around intimacy, communication, and confidence for women, particularly Black women. She translates her research on how communication influences sexual relationships, emotional safety, and self-assurance from academic settings into practical, real-life applications. Dr. Mac's work empowers women to communicate boldly, experience deeper love, and live life to the fullest.
She is the author of Black Women, Sex, and the Lies Our Mothers Told Us, a TEDx speaker, and a trusted collaborator with universities and institutions nationwide.
Why great sex starts with talking
A TEDx Chicago talk exploring how communication shapes intimacy, confidence, and connection.
Delivered on the TEDx Chicago stage, Dr. McDowell breaks down why sexual
confidence begins with voice, and how honest conversation transforms
Conversations That Educate, Empower, and Transform
Trusted by educators, institutions, and national audiences seeking meaningful dialogue, not surface-level conversation.
Formats Include:
• University keynotes
• Student-centered workshops
• Panel discussions & moderated conversations
• Faculty and educator sessions
Trusted by educators, institutions, and national audiences seeking meaningful dialogue—not
surface-level conversation.
MEDIA & PRESS
In the Conversation
Dr. McDowell’s work has been featured across academic, cultural, and media platforms.
Highlights include TEDx Chicago, contributions to the first-ever Encyclopedia of Sex, and collaborations with Stanford University and Chicago-based institutions.
CONTACT / WORK WITH DR. MAC
Let’s Start a Conversation That Matters