About Us
Mission Statement
Support the NBNA’s mission by providing a forum for collective action by black nurses to investigate, define, and advocate for the health care needs of African Americans and implement strategies that ensure access to health care, equal to, or above health care standards of the larger society.
Vision Statement
To be a beacon of service to all nurses who want to improve health care and reduce health disparities for African Americans at the local, state, and national levels.
Values
Advocacy / Excellence / Leadership / Integrity / Accountability
Respect / Compassion
Roles
Collaborators / Futurists / Investigators / Researchers / Educators
Mentors / Clinicians
Core Business
Educating and Mentoring / Public Policy Advocacy / Leadership Development
Career Advancement / Research / Member Engagement
Founder
Our Founder
In 1970, Dr. Lauranne Sams, a black nurse, attended the American Nurses Association Convention. She observed that the organization did not address the needs of black nurses nor the health needs of minorities. Therefore, she envisioned the importance of an organization to meet those needs. Through her strong convictions and diligent work, encompassed by the help of other black nurses with the same vision. The National Black Nurses Association Incorporated, was organized in 1971.
Dr. Sams believed that it is mandatory for black nurses to: (1) define and determine nursing care for black consumers for optimum quality of care by acting as their advocates; and (2) serve as the national body influence on legislation and policies that affect black people and work cooperatively with other healthcare workers to this end. The National Black Nurses’ Association is composed of registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and student nurses regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, age or sex.
In 1978, Eunice Porter had a similar conviction to Dr. Sams. She felt that Houston had black nurses who could become unified and pool their expertise and resources to help alleviate the disparity of health problems in the black community. As a result of her work and ingenuity, the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, was organized under her leadership. The chapter became chartered by the national office in 1982.
In 1982, Mrs. Dora Hobbs Culberson designed the official logo for the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston (BNAGH). The logo is a blue map of the State of Texas, superimposed on a white cross outlined in red. BNA is written inside of the top of the cross and GH is in the right corner of the cross, with a star on the map where Houston is located. Texas is our great state. The cross signifies health and suffering. The colors of red, white, and blue represent the United States of America.
Meetings for the Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, Inc. are held the second Saturday of each month, September through May. Membership is paramount to any organization, therefore, recruiting is a continuous effort.
