From the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Board of Directors:

June 16, 2020

The Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics support and promote diversity and inclusion among its members and within our profession. The troubling events that have occurred in our nation over the past few weeks have had profound impacts on the Black/African American, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Within the Commonwealth of Virginia we have observed hundreds gathering throughout the state to protest our own state’s horrific past. As many of you are aware, our state played a pivotal role in the Civil War, in that our state was the home of the Confederate States of America capital. While our state’s past supported slavery and racial inequality among individuals of African descent, our state dietetic association stands in solidarity with our BIPOC members and their communities around the Commonwealth. VAND’s leadership, along with the national Member Interest and Dietetic Practice Groups leaders denounce the killing of unarmed Black/African Americans due to racial profiling and racist ideologies. We are committed to the health, well-being, inclusion and progress of BIPOC and marginalized groups in our profession and communities.

Specifically, VAND commits to:

  1. Establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce
  2. Connect with our state members who are members of MIGs to form subcommittees within the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce
  3. Support dietetic/nutrition programs housed in Historically Black Colleges and Universities within the state of Virginia
  4. Apply for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics diversity funds to support annual meeting attendance by BIPOC students, interns, and newly credentialed practitioners
  5. Increase Diversity and Inclusion professional development opportunities

Diversity and Inclusion Leaders Program

In accordance with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics strategic vision and mission, the Diversity and Inclusion Leaders Program supports Active members from underrepresented groups within the nutrition and dietetics profession. Four leaders are selected to participate in a two-year leadership program and are provided mentorship, leadership training, and networking.  This document

The Diversity and Inclusion Leaders Program is awarded every two years. Applications will open in the fall of 2020 and will be due on March 1, 2021, for the 2021-2023 cohort.  Click here for more information and to apply.  This document includes applicant qualifications and scoring information.


Click here to access the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member Update: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.

For information regarding educational resources, Member Interest Group involvement opportunities, and Academy awards and grants, check out the links below or contact Crystal Wynn – VAND Diversity Liaison.

ACEND Diversity Mentoring Toolkit

AND Member Interest Groups (MIGs)

AND Diversity Awards and Grants

Diversity Action Award: A $1,000 award will be given to a dietetics educational program accredited/approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy Affiliate, dietetic practice group, member interest group, or other recognized Academy group in recognition of past accomplishments to successfully recruit and retain diverse individuals.  Learn more.

Diversity Promotion Grant: Up to a $10,000 grant to support diversity recruitment and retention projects by dietetics education programs accredited/approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), DPG, Academy affiliates, and member interest groups is available.  Learn more.

Crystal Wynn, PhD, MPH, RD

VAND Diversity Liaison

crwynn@vsu.edu