Black Care Matters

In our final episode of Black Care Matters, we are honored to share Travis Nelson's inspired story. It serves as a poignant testament to the daunting obstacles felt at the hands of white supremacy and the remarkable determination our Black community poses to cultivate a better future here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a forthright and remarkably encouraging finale, right here on Black Care Matters.

Embark with us on Tanisha‘s transformative journey, where she demonstrates that despite the challenges within a predominantly white culture, it’s never too late to pursue a career and healthcare. Discover how she courageously voiced critiques of the education system’s racialized shortcomings, carving out essential support systems for black nurses here in the Northwest. As our conversation unfolds, Tanisha shares her unique perspective coming from a nurse's eyes, seeing the inherent beauty woven throughout the entire spectrum of life, from its beginnings to its inevitable conclusion.It’s a conversation you don’t want to miss here on Black Care Matters.

Midwife Annie Johnson takes us on an adventure, honestly exploring how she navigated going from the playgrounds of Berkeley California to the white walls of the ivy leagues, the whole time being sure to be true to herself in order to find her people.It's an episode full of equal parts laughter and whimsy, only on Black Care Matters.

Deidre Greene shares with us how growing up in a predominantly Black community in New Jersey, helped propel her into a position of leadership in nursing. Then, becoming a nurse practitioner here in Oregon, she faced challenges navigating the minefield of white supremacy, from her daughter’s school to her church community of 20-plus-years turned their back on racial justice.It’s a conversation full of profound honest reflection, only on Black Care Matters.

Kendra Howard delves into her awakening to the stark inequalities surrounding her as a nurse. In this episode we explore how, during her education and early career, she became aware of her own privilege. These realizations became a motivating force for her to pursue a re-education, seeking guidance from teachers who are BIPOC.Join her as she shares how these experiences shaped her commitment to advocacy, pushing her to challenge systemic biases, here on Black Care Matters.

Angel Harris takes us on a journey through her impactful 22-year career in nursing. From confronting the overt presence of racism in the segregated South to navigating Oregon's more subtle forms of discrimination, she shares how these experiences have shaped her work. Along the way, she discusses her role as president of the local chapter of the NAACP and how it influenced her advocacy even in healthcare. It’s a soul-stirring conversation that inspires us all to confront biases no matter who we are, only on Black Care Matters.

Marnash Cetz walks us through attending nursing school during a global pandemic. How she almost walked away from the nursing profession within just a couple of months but inevitably found her way to rewrite her future. And how her religious community provided solace for her to process living in an America rot with white supremacy. It’s a conversation that epitomizes the fact that Black Care Matters.

Nurse Megan Ludeña delves deeper into the various dimensions of care. She reflects on how she tends to herself and also how supporting others, irrespective of their background, became not only her avenue for human connection, but also her very purpose in life. She unveils the challenges of this profound realization, while growing up in Oregon navigating prejudicial roadblocks for biracial children like her.It’s a conversation resonating with honest and profound strength, right here on Black Care Matters.

Danaya Hall is the former president and founder of the Alliance of Black Nurses Association of Oregon. Her passion for healthcare began during her high school years in the Bay Area, during a time deeply affected by the AIDS epidemic. This instilled in her the importance of showing up for others, no matter the situation. Her work ensures the sacrifices of those we've lost are never forgotten. Join us as we delve into her inspiring story and the impact it holds, only on Black Care Matters.

Erica Bailey – the president of the Alliance of Black Nurse Association of Oregon – walks us through her journey growing up biracial in southern California. How the challenges she faced dealing with colorism informed her nonlinear journey over 13 years in the nursing profession. And what it means to her to be a seeker, always on the lookout for emotional growth in every aspect of her life. It’s a fulfilling conversation packed with unwavering honesty, only on Black Care matters.

Violet shares with us her unique path as a nurse dedicated to community health. From the hospital to the homes of mothers caring for new babies, to the cafeteria of elementary schools in East County Portland–Violet is a fierce and joyful advocate for positive health outcomes in the Black community. Her energy hits like a pumpkin pie on a holiday! You don’t want to miss this conversation on Black Care Matters.

Ron walks us through why he was inspired to make his way into healthcare as a young Black man. How he’s been forced to confront this system built off racism throughout his career, and the especially potent flavor of that system here in Oregon. It's a conversation full of laughter and conviction that you don't want to miss. This is where "Black Care Matters."

Welcome to "Black Care Matters." The show where we honor the unique experiences of Black nurses working in the Pacific Northwest.