Good day, members,
As we wrap up a month full of events and celebrations, we continue our hard work into June before the summer begins.
Important Update:
We have a new email address! Please use bnlc@chapters-igs.rnao.ca going forward and refrain from using our previous one.
RNAO AGM 2025: Celebrating 100 Years!
This year, RNAO celebrates its 100th anniversary at its Annual General Meeting! There will be additional events and exciting seminars, and BNLC will be there to represent. To view the event schedule visit:
https://RNAO.ca/events/agm
BNLC Presents: Black Men In Nursing; Their Mental Health:
Date and time: Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. ET.
BNLC presents Black Men in Nursing: Black Mental Health Among Professionals. This webinar will be hosted by our Communications ENO, Dwight Barrett, and will feature panelists: Dr. Akeem Stewart, Jason Burke, RPN, Jordan Acheampong, RN and Akim Edwards, RN and PhD student
To register for this important and engaging event, please click below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5ZFo4pxORbG0YJeawwkA_A
Black Health Care Professionals Awards Event:
On Friday, May 23, The Black Health Care Professionals Network hosted their annual Awards Dinner — and BNLC is thrilled to announce that our very own Communications ENO, Dwight Barrett, received the Health Hero Emerging Leader Award.
In addition, Shelly Philip LaForest, founder of OBNN, received the Health Hero Impact in Healthcare Award. Congratulations to both Dwight and Shelly on these well-deserved recognitions!
Strut Your Stuff!
This month, we’re proud to spotlight two exceptional BNLC members:
Shelly Philip LaForest – A familiar face at BNLC, Shelly continues to inspire with her remarkable contributions. Alongside founding OBNN, she was recently honoured with the City of Brampton Citizen Award and the Health Hero Impact in Healthcare Award from the Black Health Care Professionals Network.
Dwight Barrett – In addition to receiving the Health Hero Emerging Leader Award, Dwight was recently honoured with the Eva and Boyd Upper Nursing Leadership and Innovative Practice Award at the Trillium Health Partners’ Better Together Awards.
Congratulations to these two outstanding individuals!
Have you reached a milestone or achieved a goal—big or small?
We want to celebrate you in our “Strut Your Stuff” section. Whether it’s a new certification, a recent graduation, or a meaningful career moment, we believe every success deserves recognition.
To be featured, email us at bnlc@chapters-igs.rnao.ca with 1–2 sentences about your accomplishment. You may include a photo if you like. Your story could be shared in our newsletter and on our social media!
Follow Us on Social Media:
Stay connected and updated by following us on:
X (formerly Twitter): @BNLC_RNAO
Instagram: @bnlc_rnao
LinkedIn: BNLC LinkedIn
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to get involved in any projects, seminars, or discussions, or if you are interested in hosting or participating in our webinars or conferences, feel free to email us at: bnlc@chapters-igs.RNAO.ca.
The Black Nurses Leading Change Executive Committee