Black nurses in action: A social movement to end racism and discrimination.

We bear witness to a sweeping social movement for change-fostered and driven by a powerful group of Black nurses and nursing students determined to call out and dismantle anti-Black racism and discrimination within the profession of nursing. The Black Nurses Task Force, launched by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) in July 2020, is building momentum for long-standing change in the profession by critically examining the racist and discriminatory history of nursing, listening to and learning from the lived experiences of the Black nursing community, and shaping concrete, actionable steps to confront anti-Black racism and discrimination in academic settings, workplaces, and nursing organizations. The Black Nurses Task Force and the RNAO are standing up and speaking out in acknowledgment of the magnitude of anti-Black racism and discrimination that exist in our profession, health system, justice system, and economic system.

Tackling discrimination and systemic racism in academic and workplace settings.

Racism against Black people, Indigenous and other racialized people continues to exist in healthcare and academic settings. Racism produces profound harm to racialized people. Strategies to address systemic racism must be implemented to bring about sustainable changes in healthcare and academic settings.