Brittany Bell, the mother of three of Nick Cannon’s 12 children, has earned a doctorate in psychology from Alliant University, and her dissertation focused on a topic closely tied to Cannon’s family structure. Bell said she completed her degree in May and shared the news on Instagram. Her dissertation, titled “Black Fathering and the Experiences of the Adult Child With Multiple Siblings From Different Women,” examines the lived experiences of adults who share the same father but have different mothers.
Bell and Cannon share three children: Golden, 9; Powerful, 5; and Rise, 3. Cannon’s other children include twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey; twins Zion and Zillion and daughter Beautiful with Abby De La Rosa; daughter Halo and the late son Zen with Alyssa Scott; son Legendary with Bre Tiesi; and daughter Onyx with LaNisha Cole.
In her dissertation dedication, Bell described her children as the “heart of everything I do,” thanking them for being her grounding force and source of strength. She also dedicated the work to people who break harmful patterns and continue seeking healing, growth, and self-definition.
According to the dissertation abstract, the research studied the experiences of adult males fathered by Black men who did not live in the home and who had multiple children with different women. Bell later explained in a February 2025 podcast interview that the topic was influenced partly by her own family experiences, including her relationship with her father, who died by suicide, and her stepfather.
During that interview, Bell said the dissertation topic was not originally her first choice. She said an academic advisor suggested the subject after learning that Bell was interested in research on Black parents. Bell called the suggestion a coincidence, noting that the advisor did not know about her personal life. Dr. Daniel Amen remarked that the topic sounded autobiographical, and Bell agreed.
Bell, who previously earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University, has now added a doctorate to her academic record. Her achievement drew attention not only because of her educational milestone, but also because of the dissertation’s direct connection to a family dynamic that has made Cannon a frequent subject of public discussion.
The news highlights Bell’s academic accomplishment, her focus on psychology and family experiences, and the personal meaning she attached to the study. It also underscores how her research topic intersects with broader questions about fatherhood, family structure, healing, and the experiences of children raised across multiple households.
