Britt Howell’s journey into health and wellness began at a young age, and it was shaped by her personal experience with diabetes—a condition that affects most members of her family. It was during her seventh-grade home economics class that Howell had a pivotal moment. As she listened to a doctor speak with her mother about the importance of diet, she realized that food plays a crucial role in health. This early awareness sparked a lifelong passion for wellness, food, and sustainability.
Growing up in a West Indian Native American family in the Washington, D.C. area, Howell learned the value of cooking her own meals to manage her health. “I became vegan at a young age,” Howell recalls. “If I was going to be able to eat the way I needed to eat, I had to learn how to cook my own foods.” This commitment to health and food education would later inspire her to pursue a career in fitness and nutrition.
A turning point came when Howell’s sisters tragically passed away from complications related to diabetes. This loss led Howell to refocus her energy on women’s health and wellness, founding BrittFit50—a program designed to help individuals, particularly women, lead healthier lives. The initiative eventually evolved into the BF50 Indigenous Health Initiative, which combines cultural arts with sustainability and promotes wellness in underserved communities.
A Holistic Approach to Wellness and Sustainability
Howell’s work with the BF50 Indigenous Health Initiative focuses on more than just diet and exercise. It integrates sustainability, cultural arts, and access to healthy food. The initiative hosts a variety of events that promote sustainable food systems, teach plant-based cooking, and showcase Native American art and culture. These events often include Open Streets, tree planting projects, bike tours, and panel discussions on sustainability and food access.
One of the standout features of Howell’s work is her community bike tours, which take participants to Minneapolis urban farms. Starting at Hope Community Garden, participants bike to Little Earth Urban Farm, then to Mashkiikii Gitigan Urban Farm, and return to the starting point. At each stop, farm representatives discuss the indigenous food being grown at these urban farms. Other bike tours explore green spaces in the city, including those at the University of Minnesota and a park created by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.
Rooted in Tradition
Howell, who identifies as both Black and Indigenous, infuses her work with a deep respect for Native American traditions and foodways. Every event she hosts begins with a land acknowledgment and native prayer, and often includes indigenous dishes made from ingredients Howell has grown herself. She believes that food is more than just fuel—it’s a way to connect with the earth and culture.
Advocating for Education and Empowerment
Throughout her journey, Howell has been inspired by several key role models who emphasized the importance of education. One such mentor was her fifth-grade teacher, who encouraged her to pursue an academic scholarship. Howell’s success in obtaining that scholarship taught her the value of perseverance and the importance of having someone in your corner who believes in you. Today, Howell carries that lesson into her work, teaching others about healthy food with the same care and attention she received.
Howell is also dedicated to spreading the message of sustainability and wellness through public speaking and networking. As a profitability coach for the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association and a frequent keynote speaker, she has spoken at sustainability events across the state. She’s a vocal advocate for breaking down silos between local governments, organizations, and the communities they serve to create lasting change.
Building Partnerships for a Healthier Future
Britt Howell is committed to working with a wide range of local organizations to host impactful events. She has partnered with the Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and Surly Brewing Company, among others. In a unique partnership with Nice Ride, Howell’s BF50 initiative offered bike tours that allowed participants to explore urban farms. Even after Nice Ride closed, they gifted a fleet of bikes to Howell, allowing her to continue her work.
Amplifying Voices and Inspiring Action
Howell is passionate about getting more people involved in her initiatives and seeing more media representation of people doing impactful work. “If we can keep seeing powerful women, who are doing extraordinary things, on the front of magazines, and inside the magazines,” she says, “others will be inspired to do similar work.”
Her goal is to encourage more people of color to engage with the outdoors and experience the natural world. Howell emphasizes that Black and brown people are often excluded from outdoor activities like canoeing, biking, and birdwatching in media portrayals, and she is determined to change that narrative. “We do,” she says. “We’re just not amplifying it.”
In the summer of 2025, Howell will host an event aimed at getting people of color on the Mississippi River, partnering with kayaker Devin Brown to help participants discover the joy and benefits of outdoor activities.
Credit: Demetria Dickinson, Minnesota Women’s Press