Christie A. Cruise, PhD

her Story

Christie Ann Cruise, Ph.D. is an educator, author, and social justice advocate with a passion for empowering Black women and girls to speak their truths boldly and unapologetically. Her passion led her to serve as a mentor with the Reach & Rise Program of the Gateway Region YMCA, an advisory board member for Nia Kuumba Spirituality Center for African and African American Women, treasurer for the Young Ambassadors of the YWCA of Metro St. Louis, and volunteer for St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Raising St. Louis Program. Dr. Cruise is a member of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) and Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, and a board member of the International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG).

As an Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certified group instructor and a licensed Zumba™ instructor, Dr. Cruise advocates for women and girls of all shapes and sizes to use fitness to develop positive body image. Dr. Cruise was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University.

Through the lens