Who We Are

The National Black Nurses Association is fortunate to have great nursing leaders among its leadership in a variety of areas. 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 114 chartered chapters, in 34 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 community-based organizations, corporations and other organizations, NBNA has sponsored health fairs and health education and outreach for national organizations such as the National Urban League, NAACP and Progressive National Baptist Convention. NBNA has collaborated with the 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; and, 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.; and, the 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 and a past NBNA president. The current NCEMNA president is Dr. Debra A. Toney and a past NBNA president.

Its goals include 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.

A Superb Organization to Join