Meet
Angela Brown
As an undergraduate student at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, Angela Brown initially set her sights on becoming a pharmacist. However, she quickly realized that pharmaceuticals might not be her calling, given her personal aversion to taking pills.
Growing up witnessing family and friends struggle with food-related diseases, Angela redirected her focus towards nutrition education—a path she has pursued ever since. Today, she serves as the Program Director of the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), a federally-funded initiative offering food benefits to low-income families, with a focus on pregnant women and young children. Angela thrives in this role, leveraging systemic support and collaborating with like-minded professionals dedicated to increasing food security.
Beyond her day job, Angela is the President of the Boston Organization of Nutritionists and Dietitians (BOND) of Color. BOND addresses food inequity and disparities within communities of color through various nutrition services, including workshops and cooking classes. Founded in 1995 by African-American and Afro-Caribbean dietitians, BOND aims to elevate communities most affected by food-related diseases. Reflecting on BOND's mission, Angela emphasizes their focus on promoting overall wellness for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) by "ensuring they have food access and know what's rightfully theirs, what it should be, and how it should be."
I began to think about the reasons why people have to take medication in the first place. I wanted to be more proactive on the prevention side rather than just treating symptoms.
Angela's approach to nutrition is rooted in understanding the complex factors influencing dietary behaviors. She stresses that advocating for healthier choices goes beyond simply telling someone to "eat a salad" or "drink less juice." Instead, it's crucial to understand the science behind eating habits and their origins. Angela's compassionate approach is informed by her firsthand experiences with limited access to fresh produce growing up. She affirms, "Having insight about the people you serve and understanding where they come from makes a world of difference."
When discussing nutrition essentials, Angela advocates for mindful eating. She encourages everyone to reflect on their relationship with food, honor their hunger cues, and favor sustainable lifestyle changes over "quick-fix diets." Simultaneously, Angela promotes grace, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking habits. To this end, she recommends the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) framework for setting attainable goals.
In an era of rampant misinformation, particularly on social media, Angela cautions against blindly accepting dietary advice from polished online posts. Many seek her guidance to verify online information or assess the efficacy of new diets their family members are trying. Angela urges everyone to consult reputable sources like MyPlate and the American Heart Association for accurate, up-to-date information.
I want to tell anybody who has the desire to do so—just keep striving. Push, push, push. It doesn't matter how long it takes to get there.
As someone who regularly engages with community members, Angela emphasizes the importance of partnerships. While Boston boasts numerous resources, she points out that they're "pointless" if people can't access or don't use them. By collaborating with organizations like Vital CxNs, Angela forms supportive relationships with individuals addressing pressing community issues and disseminates information to those who could benefit. Discussing her engagement with Vital CxNs, Angela notes, "When people come to me for nutrition education, I can now offer them more resources if they have questions outside my scope of practice."
Currently pursuing her Master's degree, Angela advocates for increased support and inclusion for people of color within her field. She observes, "They don't let you into certain rooms or conversations if you don't have certain degrees." Systemic barriers hinder access to opportunities and discussions within the nutrition field, particularly for underrepresented people of color. 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 keep striving. Push, push, push. It doesn't matter how long it takes to get there."
Written by Adede Appah-Sampong (April 2024)