Honouring Black History Month 2022
RNAO recognizes the importance of sharing stories and perspectives from the Black community, and is once again celebrating Black History Month in February.
This past year, RNAO has remained dedicated to its advocacy and work to bring awareness to and end anti-Black racism and discrimination, especially in the nursing profession. In partnership with its members, RNAO has made progress in addressing the systemic racism within nursing, as well as all health-care sectors and academic settings.
Black Nurses Task Force
Members of RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force met regularly in 2021 and hosted their webinar series: Let’s Talk about Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Nursing.
In January, the Black Nurses Task Force published two peer-reviewed articles in Nursing Inquiry’s special issue on anti-racism: Black nurses in action: A social movement to end racism and discrimination and Tackling discrimination and systemic racism in academic and workplace settings. RNAO shared the news on Twitter.
To commemorate Black History Month, the Black Nurses Task Force released its report during a media conference on Feb. 8: Acknowledging, Addressing and Tackling Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination Within the Nursing Profession. Learn more about the BNTF online.
Black Nurses Leading Change (BNLC) interest group
RNAO recently introduced its BNLC interest group to support the work of the Black Nurses Task Force and continue to inform RNAO on issues affecting Black nurses and nursing students. The group has begun meeting virtually. As a reminder, please visit MyRNAO To become a member of the BNLC interest group.
In focus: Black nurses and RNAO
To highlight how RNAO is taking action in partnership with its Black members, colleagues and their allies to mobilize change, RNAO published its “Black nurses and RNAO” in focus webpage.
On Small Talk, RNAO's web and social media editor Rene Dunkley interviews President-Elect Claudette Holloway about the importance of Black History Month and RNAO's Black Nurses Task Force.
RNAO is committed to celebrating the accomplishments of Black nurses, as well as highlighting the work of its Black Nurses Task Force and BNLC interest group members. Explore and share RNAO’s in focus webpage and stay tuned for updates on its advocacy and action.
You’re invited to join RNAO in honouring Black History Month: share a message on Twitter using #BlackHistoryMonth and tag @RNAO.
