💪🏾 Chapter 6: Resilience and Achievements

51 6.4: Outliers

The gaps that exist within our institutions have not gone unnoticed by Black community leaders, and many have worked hard to address them. Students, graduates, faculty members, community members and organizational outliers and allies have made it their duty to create safe spaces, enhance their knowledge and skills, provide education and training, create mentorship opportunities and networks, coalitions and associations for the empowerment of Black people.

Video 6.4: Ontario-based Registered Dietitian and founder of the Dietetic Mentorship Program, Savannah Black, shares what inspires her to continue her work in anti-Black racism. Consider attending annual dietetics conferences and webinars that prioritize discussions on equity, diversity, and inclusion, to stay current with best practices in fostering a more inclusive profession.



Dietetics Mentorship Program Logo Link

 

Stop and Reflect

  1. Does your organization offer a safe space, mentorship or anti-oppressive/ culturally appropriate support for Black people?
    • If yes, are you aware of their services, and how do you support them?
    • If no, what systems are causing this barrier, and how can you begin confronting them? Remember, you do not have to do this alone.

 

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Even as a leader, Savannah talks about continuing education:

  1. Think about how continuing education in cultural competency and anti-racism can impact your approach to dietetic practice. What learning opportunities are available to you? How can they help you recognize biases and prejudice and improve the quality of care you provide to Black people?
  2. List two ideas, then reflect on the ways you can practice these principles in your everyday professional work.

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Video 6.5: Learn about the trailblazing work of other Black Registered Dietitians: Binta Balde and Halima Cherif Hassana from Quebec, Amira Oyesegun from PEI and Nickaya Parris from Nova Scotia

 

Prince Edward Island-based Black Registered Dietitian advancing community-centered change, Amira shares crucial student insights and equity-driven perspectives on paths forward in dietetics. Consider exploring student-led initiatives within the Canadian Black Students (CBS) network to understand how peer support shapes inclusive academic environments.

Source: CBC (2023)

Binta & Halima, Quebec-based Registered Dietitians and co-hosts of the Hangry and Critical YouTube channel, Binta and Halima share critical dialogues challenging weight stigma and Western-centric nutrition paradigms. Consider auditing your practice resources to ensure they do not inadvertently perpetuate biased or non-inclusive dietary advice.

Source: Hangry and Critical (2026)

 

License

An Introduction to Anti-Black Racism in Canadian Nutrition, Food & Dietetics Copyright © 2026 by Mikahelia Wellington; Sherana Syed; and Emanuel Tessema. All Rights Reserved.

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