National Black Nurses Association, Inc.

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National Black Nurses Association, Inc.

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Black nurses have the knowledge, interest, and experience to make a significant change in health care

11/03/2026

Join us tonight for NBNA Membership Portal App Ribbon Cutting at 7:00 pm EST!

Discover how to use our all of our NBNA membership resources from the touch at the comfort of your mobile device. Register and connect with NBNA at your fingertips!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83983454612?pwd=yF9s4Wq6jQv9oNFC1imQgY91l9N6uo.1

10/26/2026

Your Heart Health Matters. The Conversation Starts Tonight!💖

The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and BridgeBio invite you to join us tonight at 5:30 ET for our Don't Pass on Your Heart Health Watch Party!

In recognition of World Amyloidosis Day, we're bringing together nurses, healthcare professionals, and community advocates for an evening dedicated to raising awareness about transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and its impact on the Black community.

🎬 What to Expect:

- An engaging film screening featuring Howard H. White, Doug E. Fresh, and Sway Calloway
- Important conversations about heart health and ATTR-CM awareness
- An opportunity to connect, learn, and advocate for healthier communities

📅 Monday, October 26, 2026
⏰ 5:30–8:00 p.m. ET
📍 NBNA Headquarters: 8630 Fenton St., Suite 910, Silver Spring, MD
💻 Virtual attendance available!

🔗 Register now: https://nbna.jotform.com/262644753707969

Help us spread the word! Tag a fellow nurse, colleague, or friend who should be part of this important conversation.

10/22/2026

NBNA Founder Highlight: Ethelrine Shaw 🎉

As we count down to the National Black Nurses Association’s 55th Founders’ Day, we continue honoring the trailblazers whose leadership and dedication helped shape NBNA’s legacy.

Today, we celebrate NBNA Founder Ethelrine Shaw, a pioneering nurse leader, advocate for diversity, and champion for advancing opportunities within the nursing profession.

Ms. Shaw made history as the first African American president of the American Nurses Foundation, serving from 1985 to 1989. Her leadership extended to the American Nurses Association, where she served as second vice president and a member of its Board of Directors.

Throughout her career, Ms. Shaw remained committed to expanding educational and professional opportunities for underrepresented nurses. In 1985, she initiated the College of Nursing Minority Scholarship at The Ohio State University. In 1987, she established the Ethelrine Shaw-Nickerson Award for Affirmative Action through the Ohio Nurses Association.

Her contributions earned her numerous prestigious honors, including recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1979, The Ohio State University's Distinctive Affirmative Action Award in 1985, and the American Nurses Foundation Distinguished Services Award in 1990.

Ethelrine Shaw’s legacy reminds us that true leadership is measured not only by the barriers we break but also by the opportunities we create for future generations.

10/21/2026

Join Ms. Velma Henderson, Host and Chartering Member of the Black Nurses of Southern Maryland, as she shares valuable insight into the importance of raising awareness about transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and encouraging conversations about heart health.

In recognition of World Amyloidosis Day, the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), in partnership with BridgeBio, invites you to our “Don't Pass on Your Heart Health” Film Screening and Watch Party on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Together, we can increase awareness, encourage early recognition and empower our communities through education and advocacy.

Watch the trailer and register to join us!

Registration Link: https://nbna.jotform.com/262644753707969

📅 October 26, 2026 | 5:30–8:00 p.m. ET
📍 NBNA Headquarters | Silver Spring, MD

10/19/2026

Did You Know? Your Genes Could Play a Role in Your Heart Health.

Approximately 3%–4% of Black Americans carry the TTR V142I genetic variant associated with hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a serious heart condition that can lead to heart failure.

Join the NBNA and BridgeBio for Don't Pass on Your Heart Health, a special film screening and discussion highlighting ATTR-CM and heart health in Black communities. Register today: https://nbna.jotform.com/262644753707969

10/15/2026

Hear from Dr. Dara Skinner as she shares the importance of The Ebony Canal screening and why you should join us for this powerful event!

The National Black Nurses Association Black Maternal Health Equity Committee invites you to experience The Ebony Canal, a compelling documentary that sheds light on the realities of Black maternal and infant health while inspiring awareness, dialogue, and meaningful change.

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026
🕕 6–9 p.m.
📍 Rutgers University

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation! Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/national-black-nurses-assoc-bmh-equity-committee-121804528768

10/14/2026

As we count down to NBNA’s 55th Founders’ Day on December 18, 2026, we celebrate the trailblazers who helped shape our legacy! 🎉

Today, we honor NBNA Founder Gloria Rookard, a pioneering nurse, healthcare leader, and advocate for community health.

In 1952, Rookard became one of the first African American graduates of People’s Hospital Nursing School. She went on to serve as head nurse at Akron General Hospital and later became a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.

In 1971, she helped establish the National Black Nurses Association, championing greater representation and opportunities for Black nurses.

Her leadership extended beyond NBNA. In 1982, she founded Universal Nursing Services, Inc., serving as president and CEO for 33 years. She also served as president of the Ohio Pediatric Nurses’ Association and received a presidential appointment from President Jimmy Carter.

Her legacy of leadership, service, and advocacy continues to inspire generations of nurses. 👏

10/13/2026

Join NBNA and BridgeBio for the Don't Pass on Your Heart Health Watch Party as we raise awareness about ATTR-CM, its impact on Black communities, and the importance of recognizing potential warning signs.

Your heart health matters! Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and take charge of your heart health.

Register today: https://nbna.jotform.com/262644753707969

10/09/2026

As we prepare to celebrate our 55th Founders' Day on December 18, 2026, we are honoring the visionary leaders whose dedication and determination laid the foundation for our organization.

This week, we recognize Dr. Lauranne Sams, founding leader and first president of NBNA.

In 1971, Dr. Sams played a pivotal role in establishing NBNA, helping unite Black nurses from across the nation to strengthen their collective voice, advance professional opportunities and advocate for greater representation in nursing. She served as NBNA's first president from 1973 to 1977.

A trailblazer in nursing education, Dr. Sams became the first African American faculty member at Indiana University School of Nursing in 1958. During her 16-year tenure, she championed opportunities for minority nursing students and later served as dean of the School of Nursing at Tuskegee University.

Her contributions continue to be recognized through the Davis-Sams Distinguished Visiting Professorship at Indiana University and NBNA's Dr. Lauranne Sams Scholarship, which supports nursing students pursuing their educational and professional goals.

More than five decades later, Dr. Sams' vision continues to inspire generations of nursing professionals and guide NBNA's commitment to leadership, education and advocacy.

Join us in the weeks leading up to December 18 as we celebrate the founders who helped shape NBNA's history and lasting impact.

10/05/2026

More than 4.1 million health workers now practice with the reassurance that seeking care for conditions won't jeopardize their careers.

We celebrate our Wellbeing First Champions! These 82 licensing boards, 1,087 hospitals, and 3,306 other care facilities are creating psychological safety for their workforce and shifting the culture of healthcare from the inside out.

Because of their leadership, the program reached an incredible milestone in just three years, with a 437% increase in protected health workers since September 2023.

Explore the Champions and join the movement to prioritize health workers' mental health: https://bit.ly/4xQGGbk

Address

8630 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, MD
20910

Telephone

+13015893200

Website

https://www.nbna.org/

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