Tambra Raye Stevenson

Tambra Raye Stevenson serves as an Adjunct Professor at American University School of Communication and founder of Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture (WANDA). She holds appointments with the National Food Museum and Milken Institute's Food as Medicine Advisory Board, driving initiatives at the intersection of food systems, health equity, and Black community empowerment.

Her academic credentials include:

• B.S. in Human Nutrition from Oklahoma State University
• MA in Media, Technology, and Democracy from American University
• MPH in Health Communication from Tufts University
• Ph.D. candidate at American University School of Communication

Professor Stevenson's research pioneers culturally grounded approaches to Black women's health, examining how digital communities can combat health disparities highlighted in the U.S. Surgeon General's loneliness report. Her work synthesizes nutrition science, policy advocacy (including authoring the Black Health Bill of Rights), and pan-African food traditions to address systemic inequities in food access and health outcomes.

Funding supports her innovative projects including the NSF-backed Wasted Food Research Network and the Food as Medicine in the Black Community Initiative with Johns Hopkins University. Her NATIVSOL Kitchen program delivers culturally resonant nutrition education across multiple platforms.

Professor Stevenson's national impact is evidenced by media features in Forbes and The Washington Post, her White House Conference participation, and speaking engagements at premier global forums including World Bank/IMF meetings and World Food Prize dialogues. She transforms academic research into actionable community health strategies through WANDA's grassroots initiatives.