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The Premier Voice
for Black Nurses

NBNA represents 308,000 African American registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students and retired nurses from the USA, Eastern Caribbean and Africa, with 114 chartered chapters, in 34 states.

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NBNA 52nd Annual Institute and Conference

SAN FRANCISCO MARRIOTT MARQUIS
San Francisco, California

July 23 - 28, 2024

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Message from the President

PhD, RN, FNP-BC, AACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
14th President – National Black Nurses Association, Inc.

Sheldon D. Fields

Our Mission

To serve as the voice for Black nurses and diverse populations ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities and improving health.

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Our History

1960s

The Civil Rights Movement was cultivated by Black Americans and served as the impetus that moved Blacks from all professions and walks of life to action. Black Nurses also answered the call.

1970

Inspired to create a better health care system with prominent roles for Black nurses, Dr. Betty Smith Williams & Dr. Barbara Johnson, created the Council of Black Nurses in Los Angeles. In addition, innovators, Dr. Florence A. Stroud and Carlessia Hussein created the Bay Area Black Nurses Association.
Following decades of racism that systemically and systematically excluded Black nurses from the American Nurses Association, Dr. Lauranne Sams organized a meeting for over 200 Black nurses across the United States. The meeting was hosted and planned by Council of Black nurses LA and the Bay Area Black Nurses Association. Nurses from New York, Ohio, and Florida navigated across the U.S. to participate in the California statewide conference. Thus, the seeds of NBNA were sown.

1971

The National Black Nurses Association was founded at a meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, to place black nurses in the mainstream of professional nurses. The meeting was attended by nurses from across the nation including but not limited to Dr. Lauranne Sams, Betty Smith Williams, Gertrude Baker, and Dr. Mary Harper.

1972

NBNA develops a philosophy and mission, organizational structure, Constitution and By-laws, and operating procedures.
The Miami Black Nurses Association donated to aid NBNA in organizing all black nurses into a cohesive national body.

1973

In Dr. Lauranne Sams first address as president of NBNA, Dr. Sams responded to the question of “Why a Black Nurses Association” with ““No, I am speaking about all the past deficits and discriminatory practice which have continuously disgraced and limited the full potential, the development, the selfhood, and the self determination of Black folk. I am speaking about today, Here and Now,” (Carnegie & ANA racial reckoning website).