Description
The idea for Diversify Dietetics was born out of a need that our co-founders and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), Deanna Belleny and Tamara Melton, did not see was being met: a community to attract, encourage and empower students and young professionals of color who were seeking careers in the field of nutrition and dietetics. According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration only about 11% of dietitians make up all reported ethnic minority groups (including Asian, African-American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Latinx, & Pacific Islander), a demographic profile that has been essentially unchanged since 2007.
Diversify has a three-pronged approach to increase the diversity in the field: through students and dietetics interns, working professionals, and lastly through educators and dietetic internship directors. Since April 2018, the organization has created programming focused on these three groups with hopes that it will shake up the status quo and drive change in the field’s demographics. These programs include the local meet-ups, Diversify Dietetics Mentor Program, RDN Spotlight Blog, Feed Me the Facts Podcast, Educators Workshops and Professional Development Webinars. Find out more at www.diversifydietetics.org
