Community Service

The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) was founded in 1971 in response to concerns regarding the growing inequities in healthcare for African Americans and the lack of a voice from Black nurses on their issues.

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. On December 18-19, 1971, 18 Black nurses from across the country met at the home of Dr. Mary Harper, in Cleveland, Ohio. They unanimously voted to approve the following motion by Betty Smith Williams, “I move that we establish the National Black Nurses Association”.

The founding members recognized that in order to make a difference in the quality of life in our communities, Black nurses across the nation had to take the lead.

In December 2004, 5 Black nurses from Palm Beach realized this work should be expanded to their communities. Taking heed, Avis Stephens Spradley, Rochun Ridley McCray, Mia Andrews, Carol Campbell, and Ann Marie McIntosh, formed the Palm Beach County Chapter of the NBNA, designated as “Palm Beach County Black Nurses Association”.

Through the founders’ collective vision, persistence and commitment, All Black nurses now have an organization whose primary reason for being is to improve the health status of Black people in the USA.