Our Mission

Black Nurses Association of Baltimore, (BNAB) Inc., is Baltimore’s  local chapter is an offshoot of our parent organization, National Black  Nurses Association (NBNA). This local chapter was founded on  

August  1974, by Beverly Mason, aka Thabiti Ambata.  Its mission is to  represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and  implement strategies to ensure access to quality healthcare. Since then,  BNAB has upheld its mission by reaching out into the community to  provide needed health education and various screenings.

BNAB  members consists of a strong team of registered nurses, licensed  practical nurses, and nursing students. In addition to community  service, BNAB nurses are also involved in the legislative process by supporting various health care bills that affect health care and our  mission through letter writing and marching on Capitol Hill.  Also,  members serve as role models, mentors, and educators for K-12 and college students within the community.  

In 2017, BNAB  members held their first Health Fair in Mondawmin Mall on October 14,  2017.  It was a successful event and as a result, the chapter held  another health fair the following year. Services provided were in  collaboration, coordination, and cooperation with a number of community  health organizations and state and local organizations such as Baltimore  City Health Department, local fire departments, local hospitals, and  churches.  Participants at the health fair received education on a variety of health related topics from community organizations who at  times made referrals and offer resources.

BNABs primary  goal is to advance, recruit and develop new healthcare professionals, as  well as, to provide community outreach to the citizens of Maryland.

In 1900 Martha Franklin founded the first organization of black  Nurses – The National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN).

The  organization’s plan was to “advance the standards and best interests of  Negro nurses.” NACGN was dismantled in 1951 to facilitate the  assimilation of Black Nurses into the American Nurses Association (ANA).

In 1970, a group of Black nurses again felt the need for  a national forum to establish communication and meaningful dialogue  among Black nurses across the country. Dr. Lauranne Sams  organized a meeting and in 1971, the National Black Nurses Association  was created.  Today, the National Black Nurses Association has many  chapters across the country. The primary objectives of  NBNA are to implement change in health care institutions and to make available to Black Americans and other minorities health care that is  commensurate with that of the majority of society.

August  1974, Beverly Mason, aka Thabiti Ambata, founded Black Nurses  Association of Baltimore, Inc. (BNAB). Its mission is to represent and  provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement  strategies to ensure access to quality healthcare.

BNAB  consists of a strong team of registered nurses, licensed practical  nurses and nursing students. In addition, members serve as role models,  mentors, and educators for K-12 and college students within the  community.

To service the community and support the  mission, BNAB nurses collaborate, coordinate, and cooperate with a  number of community health care organizations that can provide  additional resources.  

BNAB's primary goal is to further  the recruitment and development of new healthcare professionals and provide community outreach to the citizens of Maryland.