National Black Nurses Association

History

Following the convention, several nurses met at Doctor Mary Harper's home in Cleveland, Ohio to discuss the organization. The group was organized in December 1971. Betty Smith Williams proposed the current name, and Mattiedna Johnson co-founded the association. Doctor Lauranne Sams served as the first president.

Official incorporation occurred in 1972. By 1991, 51 chapters existed nationwide. Williams later served as president from 1995 to 1999. The NBNA aims to improve the health status of black people in the United States, Canada, Eastern Caribbean, and Africa, and to open nursing education and leadership positions for African Americans.

Its mission is to provide a forum for collective action by black nurses to investigate, define, and advocate for the health care needs of African Americans and to implement strategies ensuring access to health care equal to or above standards of the larger society. Since 1988, the NBNA has hosted "NBNA Day on Capitol Hill," where nursing professionals share ways to advocate for nursing and their communities. The official journal is the Journal of the NBNA. As of 2024, membership is approximately 308,000, with 111 chapters.