On December 8th, 2020, Dr. Mary Blackburn Was Acknowledged by the Alameda Board of Supervisors, For Her Contribution to Residents

Click here to view Dr. Mary Blackburn's Resolution 

Dr. Blackburn has served the Bay Area community for over 50 years. Her work provides Nutrition Education to Seniors, Youth and Families, with a focus on offering dietary recommendations for “At Risk” community members and Black People at risk for chronic disease. Her work with UC Cooperative Extension expanded this research to assessment and evaluations focused on providing policymakers with an opportunity to support social and public health efforts. Blackburn's work has focused on increasing fresh food access, decreasing childhood food insecurity, increasing food allotment and providing health education classes for families struggling to make ends meet. 

Dr. Blackburn has won numerous local, state, regional and national awards over the years, including the NEAFCS National Excellence through Research award five times. On September 14, 2020, she was inducted into the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Hall of Fame.

Dr. Blackburn is well known for pioneering work that addresses social and community health needs across Alameda County and the Bay Area. Her work includes a focus on black and multi-ethnic people, at risk for chronic disease, pregnant women, children and adolescents. She delivers research-based nutrition and quality of life education to at-risk and vulnerable communities. More recent work involves collaboration with UC CalFresh Healthy Living program staff and UC Master Gardener Program volunteers. This work includes a gardening project for senior citizens designed to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and overall well-being in affordable housing in Oakland.