About Us

The concept of organizing Black Nurses dates back to 1900 when Martha Franklin founded the first organization of Black Nurses, which is known as the National Association of colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN). NACGN was dissolved in 1951 in order to facilitate the assimilation of Black Nurses into the American Nurses Association. The present Black Nurses Association is attributed to the foresight of Dr. Lauranne Sams who assembled a Black Nurses concept at the 1970 American Nurses Association (ANA) Convention in Miami to discuss issues pertinent to Black Nurses. In 1992 the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) made plans to hold its first conference and Institute in Cleveland, OHIO in September 1973.

In September 1973 three nurses from Newark (Hilda Goldston, Annette Hubbard, and Pauline Lewis) attended the memorable meeting in Cleveland, OHIO. The results of their attendance at this conference laid the foundation for the establishment of Concerned Black Nurses of Newark, Inc. (CBNN). CBNN was the first Black Nurses Association of NJ. In 1975 CBNN was incorporated in NJ and subsequently became an affiliate of the National Black Nurses Association. The title of affiliate was maintained until 1981 when the organization became an official chapter of the National Black Nurses Association.

The visibility of Concerned Black Nurses of Newark stimulated interest of other Black Nurses all over the state to seek assistance in forming other Black Nurses Associations in NJ. CBNN assisted in the formation of associations in Southern and Central New Jersey. Other Organizations established are: Concerned Black Nurses of Central New Jersey, Northern New Jersey Black Nurses Association, South Jersey Black Nurses Association, and Mid State Black Nurses Association.