Tambra Raye Stevenson

Founder and CEO, WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture

Tambra Raye Stevenson is a visionary leader in nutrition advocacy, food and health policy and equity. Hailing from the Heartland as a fifth-generation Oklahoman and former Future Farmers of America card-carrying member, Tambra's roots in agriculture and nutrition run deep. 

As the Founder and CEO of WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture, Tambra empowers women and girls across Africa and the diaspora to become catalysts for transformative change. Her commitment to promoting African diasporic foods for health and cultural identity is reflected in her work with NATIVSOL Kitchen, an initiative providing invaluable Pan-African nutrition education. 

Tambra's influence extends beyond her educational endeavors, as she has been featured in esteemed publications such as the Washington Post, Forbes, NPR, National Geographic Traveler and Voice of America. Throughout her distinguished career, Tambra has been a tireless advocate for an inclusive and equitable food system, championing the preservation of the nutritional heritage of the African diaspora. 

Her leadership positions on influential boards and councils, including the USDA's National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, underscore her impactful presence in the field. Tambra's involvement with Washington, D.C.'s Food Policy Council, Tufts University's Food and Nutrition Innovation Council and the Milken Institute's Food as Medicine Advisory Board demonstrates her dedication to expanding access to healthy food and nutrition services. 

Tambra's leadership and advocacy have earned her prestigious accolades, including being named the Science Defender by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Women's Environmental Leadership Fellow by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. Her insightful TEDx talk on the empowering journey of Black women reclaiming food as medicine is a testament to her commitment to educating and inspiring. 

Additionally, Tambra co-chairs the NAACP DC Branch Health Committee, where she fights COVID-19, tobacco, and nutrition inequity by advocating for healthy communities. She has also led initiatives impacting the lives of 500 members through gardening, yoga, meditation, nutrition and fitness, for which she received the William Montague Cobb Award for health and food advocacy at the 2017 NAACP National Convention.

Tambra began her public service career at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, managing diverse portfolios related to tribal and Intergovernmental affairs, health IT and small business procurement. She also handled public affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency and played a significant role in starting a new office on women's policy and initiatives under D.C. Mayor Fenty. 

Tambra holds a B.S. in Human Nutrition from Oklahoma State University, an MA in Media, Technology, and Democracy from American University, and an MPH in Health Communication from Tufts University School of Medicine. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the American University School of Communication, focusing on Black women's belonging in online communities to improve their health. 

Tambra is a highly requested workshop facilitator, speaker and coach on food leadership, nutrition workforce development, intersectionality, food colonialism, health equity and cultural nutrition communication. Beyond her professional achievements, Tambra is a devoted mother of two, reflecting her commitment to shaping a healthier future for generations to come. 

Social Media: 

Tambra 

linkedin.com/in/tambra 

twitter.com/iamtambraraye 

fb.com/tambraraye 

instagram.com/tambraraye 

WANDA 

fb.com/iamwandaorg 

twitter.com/iamwandaorg 

instagram.com/iamwandaorg 

linkedin.com/company/iamwandaorg