Beyond the Yard May 2024 Article

By Kelvin Childs

When it comes to nutrition, Caree Cotwright (’99, B.S.), PhD, RDN, L.D., takes a whole-of-society approach.

“We have so many challenges right now with food prices and other things. It’s difficult to constantly hear someone encourage you to ‘eat healthy’ when some folks are just trying to eat. At USDA, we recognize the complexity and are working hard make sure everyone has access to affordable, healthy food,” said Cotwright, director of nutrition security and health equity for the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Cotwright was the keynote speaker for Howard’s Annual Health Disparities Symposium in April, hosted by the Department of Nutritional Sciences of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. This year’s topic was “Advancing Health Equity: Leveraging Culturally Responsible Nutrition Solutions.”

In her role at the USDA, Cotwright is mindful that it’s not enough to push the message of healthy eating. Care also needs to go into how the message is phrased. For example, “We have a federal symbol for healthy eating, called MyPlate. We have to make sure that’s culturally, contextually and linguistically appropriate,” she said. Accordingly, Cotwright is on a MyPlate national tour, “where we are listening to successes and challenges and we’re listening to the community.”

Cotwright’s interest in nutrition was sparked at Howard, where she was a biology major. “It was really my first foray into understanding health, specifically public health, and then later going from there,” she said. She was a pre-med student, but, she said, “I learned that I wanted to do prevention more than treatment.”

She recalled, “In the biology department, one of my professors was Geraldine Twitty. And I just adored Dr. Twitty. She didn't take any mess, I'll just say that, and taught us even as freshmen to stand up and speak.” At any moment, Twitty might randomly call on a student to explain to the class of 200 about osmosis or another concept. “You had to be ready. You had to be prepared. If you didn’t go to class on time, the door might be locked. It’s a different day now, but my Howard experience taught me to not just be on time, but to be early, to read, to understand, and to know that you know that you know,” Cotwright said. “That level of excellence has really prepared me to be brave and courageous.”

That Howard training underpinned her future study at the University of Georgia where she earned a master’s degree in foods and nutrition and a doctorate in foods and nutrition, focusing on community nutrition. This led to a career in research promoting healthy eating in children from infancy to age 5, and different positions focusing on finding ways to establish health equity in underserved populations.

The challenge today is in reaching more than the one in four Americans currently served by USDA’s 16 nutrition assistance programs. “We know that there are many more that are eligible. So we need to explore what those challenges and barriers are because I would love for everyone that is eligible for our programs to be involved, decrease stigma, and ensure an easy process for eligible participants to receive benefits for nutritious foods,” Cotwright said.

An Atlanta native, Cotwright was steeped in HBCU culture, with the Atlanta University Center nearby. She grew up watching “A Different World” and relating to co-star Jasmine Guy, whose father, Rev. William Vincent Guy, was pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, her house of worship. And several relatives attended HBCUs – her mother went to Fort Valley State University in Georgia, her father went to Dillard University, an uncle went to Howard and a cousin went to Howard’s School of Law.

Howard captured her attention because of its reputation and legacy, and she said it was the right choice. And today Cotwright has a niece continuing the legacy, majoring in advertising. It’s important for alumni to give back with their time and their dollars, Cotwright said, to support the University in grooming future leaders – as Howard did for her.

“I really had a magnificent experience. And I became who I am,” Cotwright said. “I grew up at Howard University and I’m so grateful. I’m so thankful for my professors. I didn't know coming in at 18 what I was getting into. I remember coming on the yard in the sun and all the Greeks coming out and I was like, ‘This is the best Homecoming’ and it was just so magnificent. So, it was a stellar education where there was a stellar upbringing and immersion in our culture, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”