USDA Director Advocates for Nutrition Security and Health Equity in Celebration of Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, Caree Jackson Cotwright, PhD, RDN, the Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity at the USDA, shares her personal journey and commitment to advancing nutrition security and health equity.

Coming from a background deeply rooted in activism and community empowerment, Cotwright’s father, Ernest C. Jackson, Sr., served as the director of community empowerment for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change. Cotwright’s childhood experiences in the Civil Rights era shaped her perspective on the importance of equitable access to healthy food.

Growing up in the Adamsville neighborhood, Cotwright noticed the disparity in access to healthy meals between her neighborhood and the affluent Buckhead area. While her own neighborhood lacked posh restaurants, Cotwright’s mother ensured that their meals were nutritious, incorporating vegetables from their garden, nearby supermarket, or Mr. Bell’s neighborhood produce truck.

Now, in her role at the USDA, Cotwright continues the legacy of her parents and neighbors by working towards consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods for all Americans. She emphasizes the need for collective effort and partnership to eliminate food deserts and ensure no child questions why their neighborhood lacks healthy options.

The USDA’s suite of 16 federal nutrition assistance programs already reaches 1 in 4 Americans, but Cotwright believes there is still more work to be done. With the help of individuals and organizations, the goal is to extend the reach of these programs and prevent zip codes from defining life expectancy.

Cotwright invites everyone to join in this mission by engaging with nutrition security initiatives and advocating for health equity. Together, we can create a future where everyone in the United States has the opportunity to thrive.