About Us
The National Black Nurses Association is fortunate to have great nursing leaders among its leadership throughout the U.S. The summary below is just an example of the signature programs and activities that draw African American nurses to NBNA. These programs help NBNA members grow stronger as they seek to provide culturally competent health care services in our communities.
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) was organized in 1971 under the leadership of Dr. Lauranne Sams, former Dean and Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. NBNA is a non-profit organization incorporated on September 2, 1972 in the state of Ohio. 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 100 plus chartered chapters, in 33 states.
The NBNA mission is “to serve as the voice for Black nurses and diverse populations ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities and improving health.” NBNA chapters offer voluntary hours providing health education and screenings to community residents in collaboration with community-based partners, including faith-based organizations, civic, fraternal, hospitals, and schools of nursing.
For more information, visit www.nbna.org. #NBNAResilient.
NBNA salutes the Black Nurses who laid the foundation to establish the National Black Nurses Association: Dr. Lauranne Sams, Betty Jo Davidson, Gertrude Baker, Barbara Garner, Dr. Mary Harper, Mattiedna Kelly, Phyllis Jenkins, Florrie Jefferson, Judy Jourdain, Geneva Norman, Dr. Betty Smith Williams, Etherlrine Shaw, Anita Small, Doris A. Wilson, and Gloria Rookard.
NBNA has had 14 presidents in its 52 years history: Dr. Lauranne Sams, 1973-1977; Dr. Carrie Rogers Brown, 1977-1979; E. Lorraine Baugh, 1979-1983; Ophelia Long, 1983-1987; Dr. C. Alicia Georges, 1987-1991; Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, 1991-1995; Dr. Betty Smith Williams, 1995-1999; Dr. Hilda Richards, 1999-2003; Dr. Bettye Davis Lewis, 2003-2007; Dr. Debra A. Toney, 2007- 2011; Rev. Deidre Walton, 2011-2015; Dr. Eric J. Williams 2015-2019; Dr. Martha A. Dawson 2019-2023; Dr. Sheldon D. Fields 2023 – Present.
Collaborative Community Health Model
Since its inception, improving the health of African Americans through the provision of culturally competent health care services in community-based health programs has been the cornerstone of the National Black Nurses Association. NBNA is proud of its Collaborative Community Health Model developed by Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton and Dr. C. Alicia Georges, NBNA past presidents. This model is the basis for the collaborative partnerships and health programs that are the hallmark of the National Black Nurses Association. The 114 chapters are the primary mechanism through which the national, state and local community-based programs are successfully implemented. African American nurses who are direct members (in cities where no chapters are established) also assume leadership roles in mounting community-based programs. NBNA chapters and direct members provide a host of preventative health screenings and health education including high blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, HIV, COVID-19, cancer, sickle cell and mental health.
Collaborative Partnerships
Working in partnership with organizations and corporations, NBNA has sponsored health education and fairs, outreach for national organizations such as the National Urban League, NAACP and Progressive National Baptist Convention.
NBNA Collaborations:
- Black Women’s Health Imperative
- Adult Vaccine Advisory Committee
- Rare Disease Diversity Alliance
- Sickle Cell Disease Advisory Alliance
- National Nursing Community
- Nurses on Boards Coalition
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Champion Nursing
- The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
- Black Women for Positive Change
- Movement is Life Caucus
- The Association of Black Cardiologists
In 1998, the National Black Nurses Association became one of the five founding organizations of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations along with:
- Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc.
- National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, Inc.
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Inc.
- Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc
This collaboration gives voice to over one million nurses of color. Dr. Betty Smith Williams was the first NCEMNA president following, Dr. Debra A. Toney residing as the current president of NCEMNA and a past president of NBNA.
National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Association Goals:
- Support for the development of a cadre of ethnic nurses reflecting the nation’s diversity
- Advocacy for culturally competent, accessible and affordable health care
- Promotion of the professional and educational advancement of ethnic nurses
- Education of consumers, health care professionals and policy makers on health issues of ethnic minority populations
- Development of ethnic minority nurse leaders in areas of health policy, practice, education and research
- Endorsement of best practice models of nursing practice, education, and research for minority populations
NBNA: A Superb Organization to Join
Why Choose Us?
Advisory Committees
NBNA holds membership on various national and federal advisory committees.
NBNA Signature Programs
NBNA’s signature programs and services make NBNA a superb organization to join.
NBNA Institute and Conference
Over 1,200 nurses and students receive advanced clinical instruction and earn CEUs. The event features 100+ exhibitors, various awards, and nursing scholarships.
National Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill
To educate the U.S. Congress on the nursing shortage, the nursing profession and health care disparities.
Journal of the NBNA
Published twice annually, contains peer refereed health research-based articles.
NBNA Newsletter
40-88 page quarterly eNewsletter with articles from members, partners, and sponsors on various nursing and health issues.
Scholarships
The NBNA awards $1,000-$15,000 scholarships annually to nursing students from LPN to Doctorate levels, presented at the Annual Institute & Conference.
NBNA Nursing Awards
The NBNA honors nurses with Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards, plus awards in several other categories at its conference.
Grants
Awarded to NBNA
July 2020
In July 2020, NBNA was awarded $50,000 from Sandra Evers-Manly in support of the work of the NBNA Ad Hoc Committee on Global Health. Funds were given to 17 NBNA chapters to help support their work community efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020
In June 2020, NBNA was awarded $50,000 by the Entertainment Industry Foundation for the work on the EIF FirstRespondersFirst Program to provide mental health services to frontline nurses.
May 2020
In May 2020, NBNA was awarded $1 million from the Pfizer Foundation to offer mental health hotline and mental health services to nurses on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and to communicate to the nurses and the communities that they serve about the need for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
2017
Since 2017, NBNA has participated in the NIH All of Us Research Program, which has provided financial support to 21 chapters that offer live sessions and webinars on the value of precision medicine in making contributions to finding treatments and cures for diseases. This program focuses on enrolling 1 million U.S. residents into the program. NBNA focuses on educating nurses, other health care providers and communities about the program.
October 2013
In October 2013, NBNA received a $100,000 grant from the United Health Group for scholarships and supportive services for 12 scholars.
August 2012
In August 2012, NBNA received a grant, “The Preventive Health Action Team”, from The Coca Cola Company to promote health and wellness through 15-18 NBNA chapters.
April 2011
In April 2011, NBNA partnered with the U.S. Office of Minority Health and other organizations to create a consensus report entitled “Pathways to Integrated Health Care: Strategies for African American Communities and Organizations”.
October 2010
In October 2010, NBNA and the National Medical Association released a consensus report on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in premature infants. The report was sponsored by MedImmune.
Memorandum of Understanding
In 2011, NBNA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Mentoring Cares Program, headed by Susan Taylor, formerly Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine.
In 2011, NBNA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross to help provide nursing services in times of natural and man made disasters. In 2006, NBNA representatives participated in several American Red Cross workshops on diversity. The purpose of the workshops was to craft curriculum that would help Red Cross volunteers to provide services in a culturally competent manner. For the past 5 years, NBNA has hosted blood drives at the NBNA Annual Institute and Conference.
NBNA Diversity Institute
Under the leadership of Reverend Deidre Walton, NBNA President, NBNA launched a Diversity Institute focused on racial and ethnic diversity, gender issues and issues in the workplace. The Institute was held during the NBNA 40th Annual Institute and Conference, July 25-29, 2012, in Orlando, FL.
Certification
In collaboration with other organizations, NBNA has offered certification programs on HIV/AIDS, end-of-life-care and Mental Health First Aid USA.
NBNA Founders Leadership Institute
Under the leadership of then NBNA President Dr. Debra. A. Toney, NBNA launched the NBNA Founders Leadership Institute during the 2009 NBNA Conference in Toronto, Canada. NBNA selects 20 nurses to learn how to enhance their leadership skills, helping them to achieve the next level of leadership on their jobs, within the NBNA, as volunteers and or paid advisory board members. In 2020-2021, NBNA hosted a series of leadership development webinars leading up to the NBNA Founders Leadership Institute at the NBNA 2021 Annual Institute and Conference.
NBNA Awards
In June 2009, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association awarded the National Black Nurses Association its National Award for NBNA’s participation in the Power to End Stroke Campaign. NBNA recruited over 90 ambassadors and reached thousands of individuals about stroke prevention.
NBNA Timeline
Want to Learn More About the History of NBNA?
Click the button below to view our interactive history timeline.
