Dalia Kinsey is the Founder of Kinsey Wellness & Communications LLC, an organization dedicated to fostering health equity and inclusive care. Launched from a profound personal journey and professional expertise as a Registered Dietitian, Dalia's mission is to challenge and transform how wellness and nutrition are approached, especially within marginalized communities. Now, Dalia is focused on creating resources and providing services that honor diverse lived experiences, ensuring everyone has access to healthful and affirming wellness practices.

During the interview, Dalia shared the journey behind Kinsey Wellness & Communications. Faced with significant challenges in receiving adequate health care due to systemic biases, Dalia was driven to establish a platform that not only recognizes these issues but actively counters them. Rooted in personal experiences and supported by professional expertise, Dalia's approach offers valuable insights for those facing similar obstacles. Dalia's commitment extends beyond personal healing, advocating passionately for a more inclusive health and wellness industry.

Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you got to where you are today?

Becoming a Registered Dietitian set the foundation for my career. This rigorous process began with completing a degree in dietetics, where I gained essential nutrition, health, and well-being knowledge. Following my degree, the next critical step was undertaking a Dietetic Internship in a public health setting. This choice was intentional, driven by my passion for addressing health disparities and advocating for wellness in underserved communities. My time in public health was transformative, exposing me to the broader issues that now empower me to tailor my counseling in a way that honors the lived experience of my clients.

Earning my Registered Dietitian credential after completing the Dietetic Internship and passing the national examination was a pivotal moment. However, I viewed it not as the culmination of my journey but as a launching point for a broader mission. Launching Kinsey Wellness & Communications was a high point, from a synthesis of academic achievement, practical experience, and a personal commitment to inclusive health care.

In 2022, I published my book "Decolonizing Wellness" which was a monumental milestone for me. It helped to significantly expand my reach, making my work accessible to people worldwide whom I may never have the opportunity to meet in person.

What inspired you to offer the services you provide?

In my mid-twenties, I became severely ill. Fighting through the process of getting to the root of what was causing my hair to fall out in clumps, excessive sweating, hand tremors so severe that I couldn’t hold a pen, and fatigue that made me fall asleep behind the wheel after 10+ hours of sleep, taught me unforgettable lessons about how deeply inadequate health care can be when it comes to supporting folks of color in a health crisis.

“Visit after visit, physicians blamed my steadily increasing weight for my symptoms, repeatedly failing to offer me individualized treatment, and getting stuck on my skin color and body size. After years of effort, I was eventually diagnosed with Grave’s Disease, a chronic autoimmune condition. While my weight had nothing to do with my symptoms, weight bias and racist assumptions about my ability to care for myself almost cost me my life.”

The parting advice I received from the diagnosing physician once I entered remission was to “avoid stress” so that I could stay in remission. When George Floyd was murdered, and I found myself simultaneously living through the second wave of the civil rights movement and a global pandemic, I was overwhelmed by anxiety and heartbreak. I looked everywhere for information to help me navigate dealing with chronic stress that never ends. Every resource I found only addressed temporary stressful events, like a move, a job change, or the end of a relationship – events anyone can experience. I couldn’t find a single resource that addressed how to manage the relentless stress that Black, AFAB (assigned female at birth), and queer folks like myself experience because of racism, homophobia, and misogyny.

​The process of developing my framework for protective self-care has led Kinsey Wellness to where it is today. We welcome everyone at Kinsey Wellness but center on the most vulnerable because people with marginalized identities deserve care tailored to their unique lived experiences and powerful enough to support their healing.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a service provider, and what did you do to overcome this?

One of the biggest hurdles I've encountered as a service provider at Kinsey Wellness & Communications has been wrestling with the fear of criticism for putting my marginalized identities front and center. It's no small thing to lay bare parts of yourself that society hasn't always welcomed with open arms. There was this nagging worry in the back of my mind that by focusing on serving the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities—folks I deeply resonate with and want to support—I might be narrowing my reach too much, making it harder to connect with those who could benefit most from my services.

This fear wasn't just about business metrics or reaching a wide audience; it was about the vulnerability that comes with saying, "This is who I am, and this is whom I choose to serve." It's like throwing a party and worrying nobody will show up. But here's the thing—this wasn't just any party. It was a gathering for those who've often felt left out of the mainstream health and wellness narrative.

To tackle this head-on, I had to take a couple of deep breaths and lean into the foundation of what Kinsey Wellness stands for: authenticity, inclusivity, and empowerment. I reminded myself that by being genuine and focusing on the needs of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC folks, I wasn't just building a business; I was nurturing a community. I turned to platforms and spaces where these communities already had conversations about health, wellness, and social justice. I shared my story, my vision, and the unique challenges we face regarding health and wellness.

Social media became a powerful tool in bridging the gap between my services and my target audience. Using hashtags, joining relevant groups, and participating in discussions, I slowly built a presence that felt authentic and welcoming. I also created content that spoke directly to the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals—content that wasn't just informative but also relatable and empowering.

Perhaps most importantly, I embraced the power of community engagement. I contacted other service providers, activists, and community leaders within these spaces to collaborate, share insights, and support each other's work. These collaborations expanded my reach and reinforced the importance of solidarity and allyship in our collective journey toward health equity.

“Overcoming the fear of criticism and the worry of reaching the people I wanted to reach wasn't a one-and-done deal; it is an ongoing process. But by staying true to my mission and values and by embracing the power of community and authenticity, I've been able to connect with those I aim to serve in ways that are both meaningful and impactful. It's a reminder that sometimes, the very things we fear might just be the keys to unlocking doors we never imagined we could open.”

If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers within your field, what would it be?

Don't be afraid to carve out your own path and pursue what you are passionate about, even if you haven't seen your vision modeled by anyone else. Even though sometimes it seems counterintuitive, leading with your marginalized identities empowers you to create a safer bubble for yourself to operate your business in. 

How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?

It draws people to me that are a joy to be around and dramatically decreases the number of microaggressions I have to deal with in the course of my business day. Networking is now a pleasure because it requires me to be open to making new friendships with people I genuinely enjoy being around. I've joined the local queer chamber of commerce and I've received mentorship and support in a way that I previously never experienced in any other professional association.

What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-to's and why?

When it comes to brands and services created by LGBTQ+ founders, I have a few favorites. I love TomboyX for their gender-affirming period wear, and I’m a big fan of the button-downs from Gender Free World. As for service providers, I am deeply impressed by Transformation Journeys Worldwide. This company not only delivers powerful training but also strongly advocates for trans inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity and why?

Recently I can't stop listening to Girli and my favorite song is Matriarchy! The song is super catchy and the video is just stunning. Everybody should watch it and fall in love with it.

Can you share one fun fact about yourself?

I'm a guardian to two sphynx cats that are an absolute mischievous delight.

Visit Dalia’s profile on Famm here. Visit Dalia’s website here.