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As African Heritage Month comes to a close, WANDA, the organization that believes food can save the world (no cape required), is wrapping up with a full plate of celebrations. Kicking off the month with a lively interview on VoA Our Voices—because, obviously, food and television are a match made in heaven—WANDA has taken a delicious dive into the history of African food, its cultural significance, and the latest African food products to hit the market. Because who doesn’t love a good product reveal, right? You can catch the full interview *here*, if you're curious about the fascinating world of food (and who isn’t?).
Now, let’s talk about this year’s theme: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Cultivating Health Equity With African Immigrant Communities. If that sounds like a big deal, that’s because it is. Since 2005, the United States Coalition for African Immigrant Health (USCAIH) has been putting health equity on the map, and WANDA has been right there, making sure food plays a starring role. After all, food isn’t just what’s on your plate—it’s what connects us to our roots, our culture, and our health. WANDA’s founder/CEO, Tambra Raye Stevenson, MPH, MA, has been championing this cause as the North American Representative for the African Nutrition Society, ensuring the message is heard loud and clear (and with a side of jollof rice).
"USCAIH’s work not only sheds light on the challenges African immigrants face but also helps identify the solutions within our communities. At WANDA, we use food as a healing tool—an anchor for equity and empowerment in African immigrant communities," said Tambra, dropping some serious food-for-thought. With education, advocacy, and a sprinkle of community-building, WANDA is turning food into a superhero of social change.
As if things weren’t busy enough, Tambra will be heading to Baltimore this Saturday, September 28th, for the *Food is Medicine in the African Immigrant Community* plenary session at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Alongside an esteemed panel of experts, Tambra will explore how culturally relevant, nutritious food is the ultimate secret weapon for healthier African immigrant communities. Because, let’s be honest, food really *is* medicine. So, if you’re looking for a side of health equity with your breakfast, mark your calendars and join the discussion as WANDA wraps up African Heritage Month in the most nourishing way possible. Learn more at https://www.uscaih.org.
See you at Johns Hopkins this Saturday for a healthy dose of conversation, community, and of course—food!
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM
Session: Food is Medicine in the African Immigrant Community
Moderator: Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, FAAN, FAHA (JH School of Nursing)
Panelists:
* Oluwabunmi Ogungbe, PhD, MPH, RN
* Adeline Assani-Uva, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES
* Tambra Raye Stevenson, MPH, MA
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