African Heritage & Health Program

The African Heritage and Health program develops initiatives to promote the healthy foods and delicious eating traditions of African Heritage for good health and community. Changing habits to embrace health through heritage takes a community working together. The African Heritage & Health Program supports people working at all levels towards better health—doctors, educators, community health organizations, students, families, and friends.

Oldways' African Heritage & Health Program has lots going on in its first year. In the short time since we launched the African Heritage Diet Pyramid in November 2011, we have developed an array of plans to bring African Heritage foods, cooking, and helpful tools to communities everywhere. Here are some of the 2012 and 2013 highlights:

The African Heritage & Health Quarterly Newsletter

Sign up for our new Quarterly online newsletter that shares African Heritage & Health program updates, interviews, recipes, scientific health studies, community news, and a celebration of the healthy foods of African American heritage—all in one spot.
►  Sign-up for newsletter.

Public Outreach

We are committed to new avenues of outreach everyday, supporting individuals and influential organizations with African Heritage Diet resources to support their works toward better health. The African Heritage Pyramid is now being used by dietitians, diabetes educators, historically black colleges and universities, departments of public health, faith-based initiatives, NGO's and more. Our mission is to inspire through information, and to support that new knowledge through empowering community programs. Click here to review our free online resources for the African Heritage Diet, or visit the Oldways Store to purchase posters and brochures at cost.

African Heritage Community Cooking Classes

Oldways' A Taste of African Heritage cooking classes bring the healthy foods and cooking techniques of African heritage to life. These classes will be found across the country in both "class" and "meet-up" styles--from friends hosting cooking clubs in their homes, to dietitians offering classes in their health center. The comprehensive curriculum that guides these classes blends nutrition, cultural history, and simple, delicious cooking techniques together to inspire a new social norm. The curriculum is designed to be used by anyone interested in food, health and/or heritage.

The official A Taste of African Heritage curriculum will be available for free in February 2013. If you or your organization would like to host A Taste of African Heritage cooking classes in your neighborhood or community next year, please contact Sarah Dwyer. 

African American Health Through Heritage: CPE Courses for Health Professionals & Educators

African American Health Through Heritage is a nutrition education program created to equip healthcare professionals, nutrition educators, and community outreach organizations working to end obesity, hunger, and health disparities. The program will provide cultural nutrition education training and tools to more effectively help African Americans make the changes they need to better their health. Oldways is currently creating an online CPE accredited training course on the African Heritage Diet and African American health for health professionals and community educators. Contact us if you'd like to be notified when this program goes live.

African Heritage & Health Week

Stay tuned in February, 2013, when we'll be organizing the first-ever African Heritage & Health Week. Celebrated nationally, this event will draw attention to the many delicious traditional flavors of Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the American South.

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All of our current and upcoming projects use our collection of African Heritage & Health resources. We welcome your suggestions for community programs using our materials. Contact Sarah Dwyer to share your ideas. Maybe you'll help inspire our next pilot project!