Don’t Forget Your Fruit and Fiber for Breakfast

Health Policy Expert LaVonna B. Lewis Worries America Won’t Have Hard Conversations About Race

LaVonna B. Lewis is the director of undergraduate programs at the University of Southern California, and an expert on health policy. Before joining a panel discussion on the affordability of a healthy lifestyle in America, she talked in the Zócalo green room about superhero movies, teaching, and a weird experience on a roller coaster.

Q:

Who’s your favorite president?


A:

Obama. First black president—I’ve got to go with Obama.


Q:

What’s the last song you danced to?


A:

Pose to Be,” by Omarion. It was at a pool party.


Q:

What’s the one healthy habit everyone should have?


A:

Fiber and fruit for breakfast.


Q:

Superhero movies: awesome or overrated?


A:

I’m totally into superhero movies. So far, my favorite has been the first Avengers.


Q:

What’s a misconception about health that annoys you?


A:

People are convinced that everyone has the same set of choices.


Q:

Do you play any classical instruments?


A:

I used to play the violin, long ago. I’d hate to think what would happen today if I picked one up.


Q:

If you could ride a roller coaster with a celebrity tomorrow, which celebrity would you choose?


A:

Denzel Washington. I’ve been a big fan of his movies. In high school, I rode a roller coaster with a guy who was so scared he bit me.


Q:

What keeps you up at night?


A:

The worry that as a country, we’ll never have the difficult conversations we need to have about race.


Q:

What vegetable best describes you?


A:

Brussels sprouts, because there’s a lot hidden there. You’d never know how delicious they are until you tasted them.


Q:

What do you find most difficult about teaching?


A:

A student who thinks they know everything. If there’s a student with a closed mind, there’s nothing I can do.


*Photo by Aaron Salcido.