During her first two years out of high school, media and information senior Eman Hubbard was a collegiate athlete. When she transferred to Michigan State University her junior year, she found a nonprofit that combined her passion for healthy living and storytelling through graphic design.
Hubbard became the graphic design intern at Lettuce Live Well in January of her junior year at MSU and concluded that portion of her internship in July of 2016. She will continue to intern there when summer begins.
Lettuce Live Well is a nonprofit dedicated to leading community health challenges by providing programs to help those in the community live a healthier life. With a minor in health promotion, Hubbard enjoys helping others through the organization’s different programs.
“I really enjoy going to local schools and talking to kids about health and nutrition,” Hubbard said. “A lot of adults don’t realize how to shop healthy either. At the end of our classes and grocery store tours, we give attendees $5 or $10 to put them through a test to buy healthy on a low budget.”
One of the segments Hubbard enjoyed most was the kids segment of Lettuce Live Well called Little Lettuce League. The nonprofit puts together full animation skits where cartoon characters talk about health. She helped make the graphics for these skits. She also created the flyers and graphic work for all of Lettuce Live Well’s events.
“I really like that the internship was with a nonprofit,” Hubbard said. “My boss is very proactive and passionate about the work Lettuce Live Well does. Everyone in the office is extremely health oriented, which is really cool.”
After playing sports during her first few years of college, Hubbard became actively involved in bodybuilding to stay fit and healthy.
“I started eating really well and focusing more on being healthy overall,” Hubbard said. “I wanted to break the stereotypes about bodybuilding. I wanted to explain to women that weight training is healthy and a great way to exercise. Lettuce Live Well personally helped me find balance in my diet, exercise and I feel like I am now more mindful.”
Hubbard said she feels as though many people her age and older want to learn about balancing their wellness goals.
“This internship was so fulfilling. Once I started, I didn't want to leave,” said Hubbard. “At Lettuce Live Well, they help people from every angle surrounding their health. I really like to see people from where they were two months ago in our programs, to where they are now. From this experience, I hope to someday create a nonprofit in Detroit where kids can exercise and gain experience in the health industry.”
Hubbard is also pursuing a minor in Japanese, which came in handy at Lettuce Live Well.
“My interest in Japanese started with growing up in Novi,” Hubbard said. “There is a huge Japanese population and I took Japanese in high school. I wanted to reach out and bridge that gap and learn about a culture that’s not my own. Knowing the Japanese language led me to assisting some people at Lettuce Live Well, who I gave nutrition advice to, because I could speak their language.”
Currently, Hubbard is working on a Flint school project with Katherine Alaimo, a professor in the department of food science and human nutrition. Their group will be talking to sixth grade students in the Flint community and teaching them about Type II Diabetes and the value of nutrition.
“Overall, the internship at Lettuce Live Well made me aware of all aspects of nutrition,” Hubbard said. “It definitely changed my life and I can’t wait to go back.”
By Meg Dedyne
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