Angela Brown
As an undergraduate student at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, Angela Brown had her sights set on becoming a pharmacist. Angela, however, quickly realized that as someone who did not like taking pills herself, pharmaceuticals may not be for her.
“I began to think about what were the reasons behind why people have to take medication in the first place. I wanted to be more proactive in the prevention side of it and not so much treating the symptoms.”
Growing up seeing family and friends struggle with food-related diseases, Angela redirected her focus towards nutrition education — a path she has pursued ever since. Today, Angela serves as the Program Director of the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), a federally-funded program that offers food benefits to low-income families with a focus on pregnant women and young children. Angela thrives in this role, leveraging systemic support and collaboration with like-minded professionals dedicated to increasing food security.
Beyond her 9-5, Angela is the President of the Boston Organization of Nutritionists and Dietitians (BOND) of Color. BOND is an organization committed to addressing food inequity and disparities within communities of color through various nutrition services such as workshops and cooking classes. BOND was founded in 1995 by African-American and Afro-Caribbean dietitians who wanted to elevate communities most affected by food-related diseases. Reflecting on BOND's mission, Angela remarks on their focus to promote overall wellness for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) folk by "trying to make sure that they have food access and making sure that they know what's rightfully theirs, what it should be, and how it should be."
Angela's approach to nutrition draws upon an understanding of the many complex factors that influence dietary behaviors. She stresses that advocating for healthier choices requires more than just telling someone to “eat a salad” or “drink less juice,” as she puts it. Instead, it is important to understand the science and understand why people eat the way they do in the first place. Angela's firsthand experiences with limited access to fresh produce growing up inform her compassionate approach, and she affirms that “having an insight about the people that you serve and just understanding where they come from makes a world of a difference.”
When asked about the essentials of nutrition, Angela advocates for mindful eating. She encourages everyone to reflect on their relationship with food, honor their hunger cues, and avoid “quick-fix diets” in favor of sustainable lifestyle changes. At the same time, Angela is a big proponent of grace, acknowledging how difficult it can be to break habits. To that end, she promotes the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) framework to set attainable goals.
In an era where misinformation abounds, particularly on social media platforms, Angela warns against blindly accepting dietary advice from the beautiful, polished posts you might find online. In her line of work, many have come to her asking if what they see online is true or if the new diet their family member is trying will work for them. Angela urges everyone to look to reputable sources like MyPlate and the American Heart Association for accurate and up-to-date information.
As someone who interfaces with community members regularly, Angela emphasizes the importance of partnerships. While Boston is home to many resources, if people do not know how to access them or if they are simply not using them, they are “pointless” as she would say. In working with organizations like Vital CxNs, Angela feels she is able to form supportive relationships with individuals hoping to address communities’ pressing issues and disseminate information to people who could benefit. “In discussing her engagement with Vital CxNs in particular, Angela notes, “When people come to me for nutrition education, I can offer them more resources now, if they have questions that are outside my scope of practice”
Currently pursuing her Master’s degree, Angela voices her desire for increased support and inclusion for people of color within her field. She notes, “They don't let you into certain rooms or certain conversations if you don't have certain degrees.” Systemic barriers hinder access to opportunities and conversations within the field of nutrition, particularly for people of color who remain unrepresented in the field. Despite these challenges, Angela remains steadfast in her encouragement for aspiring individuals:
“I want to tell anybody who has the desire to do so — just continue to keep striving. Push, push, push. It doesn't matter how long it takes to get there.”
Hear more from Angela in our March 2024 Community Convo on Food Justice HERE.
Published April 2024
written by Adede Appah-Sampong, VC Health Equity Scholar
