Telling Our Stories of Yesterday and Today, and Creating a New Tomorrow: Black Nurses in Canada

Background: At the 69th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), a call was made for a 10-year global recognition of the contributions given by Black communities in sustaining a thriving global economy (UN, 2014). The historical lack of acknowledgment of these contributions has led the UN to extend this time of recognition. In collaboration with a nursing institution and a Black scholarship institution, the preservation of the roles of retired Black nurses as agents of change was reborn through a celebratory event that would showcase their contributions and influence on current change. Aim: This event demonstrated the relevance of intergenerational relationships to enhance a deeper understanding of Black Canadian nurses working within Canada's health care. Method: Through intergenerational dialogs, retired nurses, current practicing nurses, and student nurses shared their experiences using oral traditions of storytelling, making it a powerful strategy in shaping the future of nursing. The event provided qualitative insights into their lived experiences to an audience of more than 150 people, encompassing three generations. Results: Informed by Black feminist thought, this event demonstrated how, despite the challenges faced, Black nurses foster an agency of building community capacity and community resilience while nurturing community solidarity. Conclusion: This article shares key features of the event and demonstrates how partnering with Schools of Nursing and Black scholarship institutions can give birth to a flourishing health-care system that can aid in dismantling anti-Black racism while promoting care ethics through intergenerational dialogs. This article also uses art illustrations to demonstrate the celebration of the multifaceted roles the retired nurses depict as what is commonly referred to as "Community Other Mothers."