Baby’s First Bites: Bringing Cultural Humility and Inclusivity to Starting Solids
Presented by Venus S. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSP
In our increasingly diverse communities, providing culturally respectful and inclusive nutrition care is critical—especially during the foundational stages of infant and pediatric feeding. This session will explore the vital role of cultural humility and inclusivity in infant and pediatric, particularly during the introduction of solid foods. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of cultural humility as a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation, redressing power imbalances, and fostering respectful partnerships with families. We will examine current research and literature that highlights how culturally tailored approaches can improve health outcomes and build trust between families and providers. The session will also offer practical tools and counseling strategies that empower clinicians to support families in honoring their cultural food traditions while meeting nutritional needs and feeding goals. Real-world examples and case scenarios will be used to demonstrate how inclusive, respectful, and responsive communication can enhance feeding experiences and outcomes. Participants will leave with actionable skills to apply in clinical and community settings, fostering environments where families feel seen, respected, and supported in their feeding choices.
Important Registration Information
Tickets are available for Parent/Caregivers, Students, or Professionals. Please use the appropriate ticket for your role. Professional are asked to register individually (not as as group).
Where Can I Find The Event Link?
The event link will be included in the confirmation email you receive upon registration. A second email with the link will be sent out when registration closes 24 hours before the live event time.
Time & Date
Please note this event is taking place at 6:30 pm Central Time, and will be held virtually via Zoom. To find out what time this is where you live, look here. Registration will close at 5:00 pm Central Time 5/5/2026. **Please check your spam folder as our emails occasionally end up there.**
CEU Credits
This course is being submitted for credit with the Illinois Early Intervention Program. Please check with your local professional organization to determine additional professional education credit. Those who have paid for a professional ticket and are in attendance for the duration of the full event will receive a certificate of attendance for credit. Those who registered for a student ticket will also receive a certificate, however these will not be eligible for CEUs.
Financial Assistance
Should cost be a concern that would hinder your participation, we may be able to offer financial assistance. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Lindsay Hoffer at li*****@*****************up.org
Cancellation Policy
Requests to cancel registration for a live course must be made in writing via email to he***@*****************up.org at least 2 days prior to the course date/time. Timely cancellation requests will be honored by a refund of the registration fee minus a $5 administrative fee. Questions regarding cancellations may be directed to he***@*****************up.org.
Use of AI Policy
This webinar is intended for live, human participation only. The use of AI-based agents, bots, or automated note-taking tools to attend in lieu of the registered participant is prohibited. Attendance verification for credit eligibility (e.g., CEU) requires live participation by the registrant. Unauthorized recording or use of AI systems to capture or summarize content is strictly prohibited.
About Venus S. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSP
Venus [ven-oos] is a board-certified pediatric dietitian and nutritionist, author, and advocate-at-heart for culturally, socioeconomically, and weight-inclusive nutrition for babies, children, and their families. As an experienced clinician, nutrition and science communicator, and James Beard Foundation Scholar with training from Tufts, Stanford, and FARE, she empowers children and families to live their fullest lives, by building healthy relationships with food and their bodies. She subspecializes in nutrition for infants and children with digestive and allergic conditions and advocates for food-related quality of life and minimizing diet restrictions. Her passion for food, psychology, and cultural humility has been featured amongst organizations like Sesame Workshop, NASPGHAN, CBS, and other outlets. More recently, she’s transitioned into the world of medical affairs where she’s doubled down on public speaking and educating clinicians on the latest and greatest in pediatric nutrition.