12 minute read
My Journey as a Black Dietitian ����
LAUREN SWANN
MS, RD, LDN
PAST NE CHAIR
My journey as a dietitian began in the fall of 1977 in a coordinated undergraduate program majoring in medical dietetics at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Howard University� I’d also applied to Penn State University but Howard offered me more in scholarship money and I’d wondered what it felt like to not be a minority� I’d been living in predominantly White middle-class suburban Philadelphia all of my 17 years, though until I was ten years old, it was in the country’s first intentionally integrated community, Concord Park, in Trevose, Bucks County�
The reason why I cherished my Howard experience is summed up in a quote from an HBCU documentary when a student expressed that they “no longer felt self-conscious from being the only Black person in the room�” Until my HBCU experience, I’d grown so accustomed to a lifetime of being the “only Black person in the room” that I’d never considered what effect it might have had on me�
“THE DIETETIC TECHNICIANS ARE ALL BLACK.”
After graduating in 1981, I started my first clinical dietitian job at an urban teaching hospital back home� The chief dietitian was White, as was the entire staff, except for one Black non-credentialed dietitian, a Filipino dietitian, two Latino dietetic technicians, and now me� During the first-day orientation with two other new, White dietitians, the chief dietitian casually explained “working with the diet techs can be difficult because they’re all Black�” I later learned that her Black predecessor was fired by a new White dietitian foodservice director who was subsequently sued for discrimination, which is why I was recruited� They needed a Black RD fast; the other Black dietitian didn’t become RD-credentialed and they let her go as soon as I passed my exam�
With a Boston University Master of Science in nutrition communications on my resume, I’d arrive at advertising agencies and public relations firms to hear “You’re Lauren Swann?! But you sounded different on the phone!” Years later after a promotion in a corporate atmosphere, I discovered I was earning $5,000 less than a White male in the same department with a comparable position who had five years less experience and didn’t have a master’s degree or professional certification� I complained and our boss responded by promoting him to justify my co-worker’s salary� That’s when I began seriously planning on starting my own business�
I moved back home, working side jobs to keep money trickling in while I got my business going� While at a temp agency, in a secluded cubicle I overheard, “I think I can get you a White guy for the job� He sounds White�” I confronted the manager who reframed the conversation into complaints about Affirmative Action unfairness�
Discussions once active on the Academy’s electronic mailing lists - which prohibited political, religious or racial conversations - migrated to far less restricted social media platforms exposing blatant bigotry� A White dietitian I’d known for many years, complaining about how Affirmative Action unfairly takes jobs from qualified Whites (which is erroneous), wasn’t even aware that White women remain the single largest benefactor of Affirmative Action�
Following a local consulting dietitian meeting, an RD exclaimed, “How can you be doing so well, and you’re BLACK! It’s hard enough being a woman but you’re BLACK� I don’t believe you’re doing as well as you say - I think you’re making things up.”
STILL “OUTSIDE” OF THE “GOOD OL’ GIRLS NETWORK”
I haven’t experienced my career as anything but a Black dietitian so I can’t compare� But solely because I’m Black, I’ve endured and in some odd way been expected to tolerate more - more rudeness, insults, offensive remarks and doubts of my qualifications� Very few of my major contracts have come from networking with dietitians; most of my client referrals have come from food industry professional networking� Many dietitians who enthusiastically
enjoy my social media contributions have never passed referrals my way or involved me in contractual work�
Through the prism of race, my career reminds me of a physically symbolic demonstration I once saw on a talk show� The facilitator had several people interlock extended arms, facing in and forming a circle, loosely linked up to about the elbow� If anyone from the outside tried to join from behind their backs, they immediately and quickly tightened up more closely to the shoulders, their bodies preventing entry from “outsiders�” I’ve been an Academy member since 1981, and still feel like I never really gained access to the “inner circle�” I know many of them but feel that few include me on the inner track of “plum” projects�
Having lived through the 1960s, and especially after last year, I didn’t anticipate feeling this way 50 years later� I am grateful for those who have been a positive part of my journey and that includes White dietitians who have awarded me a major contract, referred me for international media travel or a speaking engagement or heard my name suggested and reinforced I’d be a good choice for a project� During my time as NE Chair, which I won on a contested ballot of two other candidates, I made many valuable connections and experienced good opportunities because of the position� Obviously, it was the majority of members - primarily White - who voted for me� I’ve had the good fortune of knowing many fine dietitians who are Black, White, Asian, Latino and Arab� I will always love multiculturalism because I find it so enriching to hear life stories about others who are different from me�
WHAT DIFFERENCES DO I SEE TODAY?
Being asked to write this article! I’m now encouraged to share my honest feelings in an open way� In social media forums like Facebook, discussion can lead to better understanding� I enjoy discussions with dietitians I’ve known for many years after learning more about their various perspectives on hot issues, which previously couldn’t be shared on the Academy EMLs� I also love culturally aware endeavors, such as:
y Health Empowerment through
Behavioral and Nutritional
Initiatives (HEBNI) y Women Advancing Nutrition
Dietetics and Agriculture (WANDA) y Diversify Dietetics y Food Wellness Equity Collective y Eat Well Exchange y EatWell Global y Culinary Nutrition Collaborative y World Critical Dietetics y Inclusive Dietetics and
Dietitians for Change These endeavors are driving a whole new energy, consciousness and spirit that, as a child of the 1960s, feels to me like a refreshingly renewed and sincere commitment to work harder toward better outcomes for all�
Lauren Swann has spent most of her career advising on issues where food policy, consumer trends and public health meet, intersect or collide� As a B2B consultant, she specializes in the effective delivery of accurate nutrition messages seasoned with a passion for cultural foodways� She is also a published writer and has been a featured speaker at major conferences, appeared on local and national TV and runs LinkedIn’s largest food labeling and cultural foodways groups� Lauren loves helping folks figure out the facts about food so they can decide what’s good to eat�
What can we do to increase diversity in dietetics?
Actively recruit BIPOC students, facilitate their development through scholarship and internship opportunities, and increase advocacy and awareness of the benefits of diversity within the dietetics profession�
Neosie Morris
MPH Recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds� Place a greater emphasis on retainment, support systems and institutional/ organizational culture�
Help create more awareness about alternative or non-traditional roles or careers
Kameron Rowe
MS, RDN, CDN
Brianna Theus
RDN, CD It’s important for us to show young people what a dietitian is� We need to go into their schools, give presentations about the career, and mentor them as they grow into the field�
Lauren Swann
MS, RD, LDN
What can dietitians do to become more culturally competent?
Start by gaining awareness about your own culture and worldview� Then, start learning about others by listening, researching and acting�
Brianna Theus
RDN, CD Connect with individuals who are culturally different from you� Have a chat over Zoom� Meet outdoors for a walk� Build a bridge by genuinely getting to know someone who looks, acts, speaks and thinks differently than you do�
Jerlyn Jones
MS, MPA, RDN, LD, CLT
Neosie Morris
MPH Seek out volunteer roles in low-income communities or among BIPOC groups� This will expose you to the culture, unique vulnerabilities, and dietary patterns of these groups, and will build your capacity to better serve them� Acknowledge that your view of the world, your experience with food, and your access to nutrition may not be a shared experience with everyone around you�
Jillian Griffith
MSPH, RDN, LDN
Lean in to being uncomfortable and examine why that uncomfort exists� The more you sit with this uncomfort, the more you are able to understand someone else's plight� Be a lifelong learner and make it a priority to form relationships with people whom you do not look like or identify the same as you�
Kameron Rowe
MS, RDN, CDN
Why is mentoring BIPOC dietetic interns and students important?
I believe the old African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child" applies to supporting aspiring students�
Mentorship provides students with
guidance, insight, feedback and encouragement that I believe is essential to the career journey and progression of BIPOC dietetic interns�
I think that it’s important to mentor and show BIPOC interns and students that the possibilities are endless and that their ethnicity doesn’t dictate their future in dietetics�
Diversify Dietetics
Jillian Griffith
MSPH, RDN, LDN It provides opportunities for them to develop the skills and competencies needed to effectively serve as future dietitians, further increasing diversity within the dietetics profession�
Neosie Morris
MPH
Lauren Swann
MS, RD, LDN Because role models who can be related to are needed for guidance and support.
Kameron Rowe
MS, RDN, CDN
Andrea Mathis
MA, RDN, LD Mentors are so valuable not only because of their support and career guidance but also because of the way they help you see things that you don't see in yourself� Mentoring is mutually beneficial for both the mentor and mentee because it usually evolves into a deep, caring relationship.
What is a resource that you recommend?
Kameron Rowe
MS, RDN, CDN
Vanessa Rissetto,
MS, RD
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown�
Social media can be a great tool to find diverse dietitians who openly share their stories. Here are a few IG accounts that may be worth a follow!
@diversifydietetics @nutritiondiversified @grits_inc @allthingscedar @dietitiansforfoodjustice
Shamera Robinson
MPH, RDN, CDCES
A Message From the NE Chair
NICOLE RODRIGUEZ
RDN
CHAIR
Well, you’ve made it near the end of this very special issue of Ventures� Thank you for taking the time to read the perspectives of some of our Black colleagues� While NE always has and always will be a place where ALL nutrition entrepreneurs are welcomed, I hope you’ll absorb the words on these pages and, in your own way, take action moving forward in helping to build a more equitable and diverse healthcare system� It’s been both an honor and a privilege to serve as your chair�
Warmly, Nicole
Who is a BIPOC dietitian you find inspiring?
What is your favorite quote about diversity or from someone who inspires you?
Tamara Melton - her commitment to diversifying the field is a wonderful thing to watch and inspires me to do better every day�
Jerlyn Jones
MS, MPA, RDN, LD, CLT
Vanessa Rissetto
MS, RD
There are so many BIPOC dietitians who inspire me to excel in this profession; however, if I must name one, that dietitian is Tamara Melton� Less than three years ago, she had the vision to create a community for students, professionals and educators dedicated to increasing ethnic and racial diversity in the nutrition and dietetics profession� That vision is Diversify Dietetics�
Esther Tambe, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES� I met Esther at a Diversify Dietetics Meet-Up in 2018 and I was immediately inspired by her passion, professional savviness and drive� Esther has become one of my deepest friends and I love being able to navigate my personal and professional worlds with her by my side� Joycelyn Peterson, DrPH, MPH, RDN, director of the Nutritional Sciences Program at Morgan State University, and founder/director of the non-profit Vegetarian Institute of Nutrition and Culinary Arts� I am inspired by her passion for life, her exemplary contributions in the field of nutrition and dietetics, her unwavering faith in God, and her tireless work in mentoring and facilitating the career advancement of BIPOC students in the United States and the Caribbean�
Neosie Morris
MPH
Kameron Rowe
MS, RDN, CDN
Jasmine Westbrooks
MS, RD, CDCES: My mentor, Roniece Weaver� She is a dietitian of color who has seen it all, but through everything, she has been able to pave the way for so many dietitians of color� She gives the most real advice you will ever hear and inspires you to do so much with side-by-side guidance� She genuinely wants to see you grow and most important, pay it all forward�
Many Black, Indigenous and people of color know how it feels to be “the only one” in a space, and that feeling extends into the field of nutrition and dietetics� It takes bravery to commit to a profession where very few people look like you, understand you, and/or appreciate your experiences� Because of that resilience, I am inspired by (and grateful for) every single dietitian of color�
Shamera Robinson
MPH, RDN, CDCES
It is not our differences that divide us� It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences�” -Audre Lorde
Kameron Rowe
MS, RDN, CDN
Jillian Griffith
MSPH, RDN, LDN
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere�" -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Neosie Morris
MPH Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization�” - Mahatma Gandhi
Vanessa Rissetto
MS, RD
We believe our diversity makes us stronger, smarter, and more innovative, helping us better serve the needs of our clients, our people, and our communities�” -Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced� ” -James Baldwin Diversity is where everyone is invited to the party; equity means that everyone gets to contribute to the playlist; inclusion means everyone has the opportunity to dance�” - Robert Sellers, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Michigan
