On June 19, 2024, Miami Mayors Daniella Levine and Frances Suarez bestowed Dr. Sonjia with a Proclamation to the City of Miami during a Juneteenth celebration in Liberty City honoring black doctors.
“I am beyond humbled to be trusted as a healthcare partner in our local black communities. Working with my community partners empowers our ability to develop culturally-relevant programs that largely succeed because community champions have a heavy hand in designing them. My job is simply to listen and learn from the experts with long-term experience dealing with these health challenges. They are the real healthcare heroes."
In January 2024, Dr. Sonjia introduced the CREW research training program during a televised press conference in St. Thomas with the Governor, Lt. Governor, Commissioner of Health, and Chief Medicine Officer of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. CREW will train local scholars to develop healthcare careers to overcome the Territory's longterm designation as a health professional shortage area. Dr. Sonjia leads the grant in partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, where her first research mentee now serves as the territory's Chief Medical Officer.
The July 2023 issue of Legacy Magazine named Dr. sonjia as south Florida's Top Black Educator.
“As the only Black woman who serves as a full professor of medicine and public health sciences at the University of Miami, I am overjoyed that my work in academic medicine is being recognized at a regional level. Visibility is especially important when so few women of color have leadership roles in academic healthcare. I hope this recognition inspires the next generation of minority female healthcare leaders to pursue challenging roles that disrupt the status quo and lead to more equitable representation in the space of academic medicine."
October 2022: A prestigious National Institutes of Health R01 grant was awarded to Dr. Sonjia Kenya, associate professor of general medicine and public health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Kenya is also associate director of the Behavioral Science Core at the Miami Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), among other roles.
“I’m beyond thrilled to receive such a high level of NIH support focused on improving HIV outcomes in Black people. These grants are highly competitive and less than 2% have been awarded to Black scientists.” Dr. Kenya said.
In recognition of her work to reduce HIV/AIDS disparities in high-risk Miami neighborhoods, Dr. Sonjia Kenya of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has received the prestigious 2022 Sapphire Award.
“This award acknowledges the power of community partnerships to reduce health disparities. It is amazing that our collaborative work to end HIV is being recognized.”
The award ceremony was held on May 4, 2022 in Orlando, FL.
Sex in South Beach starts fun conversations about sex, relationships, and staying healthy between the sheets. Enjoy Dr. Sonjia’s humor, science, and real-life experiences which inspire discussions about pleasure preferences, all-natural sex stimulants, swinging, sexercises, re-igniting passion, and so much more. Talking about sex is the first step to achieving sensual satisfaction and this book empowers you to speak up!
The Sex in South Beach Podcast starts fun conversations about sex, relationships, and staying healthy between the sheets. Humor, science, and real-life experiences are combined to inspire discussions about pleasure preferences, stimulants, sexercises, re-igniting passion, and so much more. From orgasms to micro-penises, Dr. Sonjia tells it like it is so you can experience more sexual satisfaction and get real-life insight about what’s hot in the smoking city of Miami.
SENSE aromatherapy body oil ignites your senses in a happy way! Dr. Sonjia developed SENSE to make her feel good when she was pregnant. Then her hubs fell in love with the fragrance. Then all her neighbors said they felt happier when they smelled her. The best part is everyone who tried it stopped getting mosquito bites! Because being eaten should feel good!
"Dr. Sonjia bridges an important gap between the cool objectivity of a medical professional with the seductress powers of a sexually charged woman. Being in her presence is captivating, and it’s practically impossible not to be attracted to her regardless of your gender or sexual orientation. She disarms audiences immediately, making it fun (and safe) to talk about anything from crazy kink to STD prevention. No topic is off limits, no matter how embarrassing or taboo. Her public persona is warm, outrageous, and filled with laughs. There’s NO ONE in the field of sexual health I’d trust more on camera or on a stage than Dr. Sonjia.” Jessica Kizorek, Television Producer, Film Maker, Conference Director
"Your lecture was outstanding and we were all riveted to your words. An experience that will stay with the students who were present and for a long time. Congratulations. I am so proud of what you do." Pasqual Goldschmidt, Dean, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
"The students, guests, and Board members of the International Institute of Clinical Sexology were deeply privileged to have Dr. Sonjia Kenya give the keynote address at our 2018 doctoral graduation. Dr. Kenya is an eminent member of our sexology community whose knowledge and enthusiasm have advanced our field. Her heartfelt and eloquent speech honored the graduates’ commitment and dedication in reaching this pinnacle in their careers. Her speech spoke to all of us present and left us uplifted and inspired.” Carol Clark, President, International Institute of Clinical Sexology
"“Recently Dr. Sonjia spoke at United Way of Miami Dade Continue United networking event. Continue United is geared toward people 55 and older and the topic explored was specifically aimed at this demographic group. I must say that she was outstanding. Her presentation was extremely informative and very educational. All of the people in attendance, both men and women, enjoyed her presentation. Dr. Sonjia was energetic, personable, and extremely knowledgable on the subject matter. I would highly recommend her.” Steven Siegel, Senior Development Officer & United Way of Miami Dade
"Dr. Sonjia is a phenomenal educator and I appreciate her taking time to come and train our organization. Her presentation was informative and she covered the subject matter in a way that was very fun and interactive. I will use this material as I continue to work in educating others about sexual health as well as in my own personal relationships. Sex after trauma was such a great discussion to me. I know that many of the populations that we serve have experienced some sort of trauma so education on how to achieve a meaningful, healthy, intimate experience after trauma is vital in this field. Thanks again and I highly recommend this training to all.“ Sheree Anderson, Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida
“We were very fortunate to have Dr. Sonjia accept our invitation to participate at the 2015 South Florida Book Festival. We found that her book Sex in South Beach: Let’s Talk About Sex had great reviews and when I talked to her on the phone, she had a upbeat, positive and warm personality. Well, during the first night on the festival, Dr. Sonjia completely mesmerized the audience with her honest and frank discussions about sex and sex education. Many guests pulled me aside and said that her talk “was the best” out of the 12 authors who presented that night. The next day Dr. Sonjia provided the audience with workshop that included feathers, oils and special treats you can taste. As the Executive Director, I’m usually “on the run” throughout the festival, not taking time to enjoy any of the workshops. However, although I did not plan on staying in Dr.Sonjia’s workshop, I ended up staying until the end because she was such a dynamite, fun and informative presenter. Many participants came up to me with rave reviews and were excited that we allowed this wonderful workshop in the library. I highly recommend working with Dr. Sonjia..you will not be disappointed.” Elaina Norlin, Regional Library Manager & African American Research Library and Cultural Center
"“Terrific. Awesome. Life-changing? Wow, Sonjia’s date night was SOO much fun. I honestly was expecting something more superficial (and it definitely got us worked up) but what I did not expect was the depth of the content we talked about. Truly awesome. We got way more out of that than we bargained for.” Victor, Miami tourist, Attended Date Nite Special
"I initially hesitated signing up for this experience thinking it might be too outside my comfort zone but all I can say is that it was one of the most fun, relaxed date nights I’ve had a long time. I’ve lived in Miami most of my life and was taken to spots I never even knew existed. The entire night flowed so effortlessly and I got to connect with my partner in ways I wouldn’t have accomplished without Sonjia’s facilitation. Sonjia is such a pleasure to be around—a wealth of knowledge, fun, and inspiring. Her husband, Troy, was funny, easy-going, and polite. I highly recommend this experience for any couple who wants to connect with their partner on a deeper level.” Karina Miami Native, Attended Date Nite Special
“My partner and I had an absolute blast at Date Night. Sonjia gave us fun and exciting activities to play and learn about each other. We 110% recommend this to all couples and we would definitely do this again!”Kayla, Miami tourist, Attended Date Nite Special
“Sonjia is intelligent and funny. Spending date night with her was fun way to learn some simple ways to increase intimacy with your partner. There was music, fun experiments, art, food and dance! Best date night with my wife.” Vishal, Miami tourist, Attended Date Nite Special
“If you’re a guy (especially, or a girl) looking to “wow” your significant other with something sophisticated yet playful, edgy yet fun, Sonjia’s monthly Date Night is an opportunity to have it all handled for you. The warm reception at the museum is a gift — being met by master conversationalists Sonjia and her mate in a reserved room where you snack, chat, and browse the elegantly-lit artifacts as other couples arrive. The museum tour is a string of conversation starters (letting you engage by leaning into it, or leaning back while your hosts stand out on the edge of the erotica from different cultures the world over). From this elevated state, she leads you through a few experiments to deepen your connection and you’re soon lifted to a dinner location where the peak quality of the evening is transitioned gracefully into flirting exercises that let you effortlessly create more intimacy while tasting whatever you choose from the menu. A few more surprises are in store (that I won’t spoil for you) and Sonjia then checks in with each couple to ensure you’re launched into whichever nightlife flavor that fits your flow. You land gently with your partner amidst the sights and sounds of South Beach to continue your evening as your host steps away — like a local friend you’ve known your whole life. As a guy, I’m not always the most effective at creating a “date night” experience, yet this had me capture my partner’s admiration (…though, in truth, Sonjia did all the work while I just enjoyed the evening). If you’re anything like me, sign up for this. You (and your partner) will be glad you did.” Matthew, So Florida Native, Attended Date Nite Special
Dr. Sonjia’s Sex in South Beach is now a public Roku channel. Roku is the only place you can watch all of Dr. Sonjia’s videos and take all her video sex classes in one place and for FREE! Watching Dr. Sonjia on your TV is also the easiest way to start fun sexual conversations with someone you love! Add the channel today to improve your love life tonight.
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