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Each February, as part of Black History Month, RNAO celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black nurses. We look back at accomplishments over the past year, and forward to new developments that will help tackle anti-Black racism and discrimination within the nursing profession.
The Black Nurses Leading Change (BNLC) Interest Group continues to thrive under the leadership of its chair, Lori Zozzolotto. BNLC and RNAO have continued to build on the recommendations outlined in the groundbreaking report released in 2022 by RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force. Building on one of the task force’s recommendations, work is well underway on a trailblazing RNAO best practice guideline (BPG) – Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Nursing (set for release in February 2026), co-chaired by the esteemed Dr. Bukola Salami and Dr. LaRon Nelson. The 19-member expert panel of Black nursing professionals and students developing this BPG will help shape the future of Black nurses in academic and health organizations.
As part of our work addressing racial inequities within nursing, RNAO presented a poster documenting work titled Strategies to Address Anti-Black Racism in Nursing Methodological Considerations at the Global Evidence Summit in September 2024. This presentation highlighted the innovative approach in developing the anti-Black racism guideline and was well received by attendees.
BNLC also continues to provide support and inspiration to Black nurses at RNAO through its monthly webinars, which have featured topics such as Black men in nursing and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. The group also supports and inspires Black nurses through a monthly newsletter, which highlights the accomplishments of its members in the Strut Your Stuff section. In celebration of Black History Month, BNLC is hosting two special webinars. One presented by renowned lecturer and Black researcher Dr. Bukola Salami, and another webinar featuring medical graduate Dr. Akeem Stewart.
In late 2024, RNAO’s Health Equity Consortium – a joint effort of BNLC, the Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group and the Rainbow Nursing Interest Group – published an article in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research titled Health Equity Consortium: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Nurses. The article provides critical insights into advancing health equity within nursing. The consortium was originally formed in 2022 to explore and illuminate the profound experiences and narratives of discrimination against diverse nurses and patients that call for collective responses. Future work includes establishing EDI-focused mentorship programs and supporting the development of future equity-related BPGs.
The work of the Health Equity Consortium is also featured in RNAO’s In Focus web pages that outline RNAO’s commitment and work to dismantle systemic racism and all forms of discrimination.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of BNLC, please visit MyRNAO.ca. Follow BNLC on X (formerly Twitter) to stay updated on its activities and upcoming events.
Join us in honouring Black History Month by sharing tweets with “#BlackHistoryMonth” and tagging @RNAO.
