Marking Black History Month, RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force (BNTF) released its report titled Acknowledging, Addressing and Tackling Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination Within the Nursing Profession during a media conference on Feb. 8.
 
BNTF co-chairs Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite (RNAO past president) and NP Corsita Garraway, task force members Daria Adèle Juüdi-Hope and Dania Versailles (who are also the co-chairs of RNAO’s Black Nurses Leading Change interest group), and RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun (moderator) provided the nearly 200 attendees with an overview of the report, which includes 19 recommendations to tackle structural racism within nursing organizations, regulatory bodies, associations and the broader health-care systems that are targeted towards and experienced by Black nurses. The report focuses on education and awareness building, research, advocacy, and partnership with allies and stakeholders. 

In case you missed it, watch the full media conference on RNAO’s YouTube channel and read the live Twitter coverage.

The report garnered a lot of media attention including: 

• Windsor’s AM800: The Shift – Recommendations to combat anti-Black racism in the nursing industry
• CBC News: Anti-Black racism 'deeply entrenched' in nursing, says new report calling for immediate action
• CBC News: CBC Toronto News February 8, 2022 (story begins at 20:14)
• Ottawa’s CBC Radio All in a Day: Tackling racism in the healthcare system
• Toronto’s CBC Radio Here and Now: Ending anti-black racism and discrimination in nursing
• Toronto’s CBC Radio Metro Morning: New study shows how rampant anti-Black racism is in nursing
• CBC Radio Ontario Morning: Ontario Morning - February 9 2022 Pt 2 (story begins at 27:37)
• CP24: Anti-Black racism in nursing
• CTV News: Nursing association puts forward recommendations to combat anti-Black racism in industry
• Daily Hive: Nearly 90% of Black nurses in Ontario have experienced racism on the job: report
• HR Reporter: Anti-Black racism reports make recommendations for HR
• Global News: Corsita Garraway joins Candace Daniel to discuss the importance of combatting racism in the profession
• Toronto Star: Most Black nurses in Ontario deal with racism. This task force of nurses has a way forward
• Globe and Mail: Racism is having a devastating impact on the lives of Black nurses

To learn more about the BNTF, explore the Black Nurses and RNAO in focus webpage on RNAO’s website.