BASc, ’22
Hello! My name is Nathan Reid. I was born and raised in the capital city of Canada, Ottawa. I recently graduated from Queen’s University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Health Studies. During the summer of 2020, I ended up moving to Toronto to pursue a second undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Food at Ryerson University. On Instagram, I use my platform to not only develop tasty vegan recipes but to advocate for the inclusivity of the Black Community in the “Health and Wellness” community. Being a Black Canadian post-secondary student, I find myself continuously defying the odds. My parents both immigrated to Canada from Jamaica, where throughout my educational journey I noticed a lack of diversity amongst my peers. It was difficult to relate to my professors and classmates, as the vast majority came from a differing cultural background than one associated with the Black community. To simply put it, I typically was the only Black student in a room majorly filled with White students and a White teacher/professor.
As I currently study “Nutrition and Food,” this pattern still stands true. I realized that there tends to be the negligence of the impacts on the Black community when it comes to nutrition, food, and health. Being the “Events Director” of the Ryerson Home Economics Association (RHEA), I will use my position to help plan events that also cater to meet the needs of Black nutrition students. With my career aspiration to eventually work with professional athletes as a Registered Sports Dietitian, I look forward to continuing to break through barriers and to inspire other Black nutrition students to continue to pursue their dreams amid underrepresentation.
Nutrition Diversified 