Educating the Minority Communities About Health Issues in the State of Arizona
ABOUT US
History of BNA GPA
On February of 1976, The Black Nurses of Arizona (BNA) was organized by nine founding members to unite minority nurses in the State of Arizona. As professionals in health care, they united to encourage people in the community to develop healthy lifestyles through education. They welcomed the membership and involvement of anyone who believed in their mission and objectives. In October, 1979, they were incorporated in the State of Arizona under the name of Black Nurses of Arizona, Inc. Velvet Miller, Barbara McCarcle and Lillie Owens were some of the first members under the Articles of Incorporation.
The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) was founded in 1971 in response to concerns regarding inequities in health care for African Americans throughout the country. The membership consists of registered nurses, licensed/practical nurses and nursing students.
In November of 1994, the Black Nurses of Arizona were invited to become a part of the National Black Nurses Association by its then president, Dr. Linda Burns-Bolton, RN, during a meeting at the Pointe Squaw Peak.
On June 30, 1995 Black Nurses of Arizona were approved as a chapter within the National Black Nurses Association, Inc. On August 5, 1995, the chapter was debuted at the 23rd NBNA’s National Conference held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. After the debut as a chapter the group became affectionately known in the Community as the National Black Nurses Association of the Greater Phoenix Area.
The NBNA is guided by the principle that African American nurses have the understanding, knowledge, interest, concern, and expertise to make a significant difference in the health care status of African-American communities across the nation.
Our Mission
The mission of the NBNA Greater Phoenix Chapter is to address the health needs of the African American Community (and other minorities), provide on-going health education, encourage active participation in programs, and demonstrate success through cultivating behavioral changes
Our Purpose
The Black Nurses Association, Greater Phoenix Area is a non-profit organization created to address and inform the black community and other minority groups about health issues in the state of Arizona. Minority groups in our society often lack access to proper health care. Therefore, the purpose of the Black Nurses Association, Greater Phoenix Area is to investigate, define, and determine nursing and health care needs of minority groups in the state, to act as an advocate in gaining access to that care, and support the other minority nurses in the field.