About Us

South Bay Black Nurses Association's mission is helping Americans of African Heritage and other people of color to achieve health care commensurate with that of the larger society by strengthening and increasing the number of Americans of African heritage in the nursing profession.

View pictures of our community outreach and other events

Our Vision

All we are capable of dreaming and therefore being; based on our philosophies, our assumptions, our history of successful activity, and our enthusiasm for our mission, we, South Bay Black Nurses, envision the following for our association:

South Bay Black Nurses Association, Inc. also known as SBBNA San Jose, is recognized as the definitive point of contact for issues relating to heath care and training of Americans of African heritage in Santa Clara and surrounding Counties.
An association that will be long standing, with continuity of purpose and actions that have local and national impact; providing scholarships befitting our goals, objectives, and need of the community.
An association whose well-known and well-respected image reflects its role as a leader, role model, mentor, and motivator of change; accepted as the premier group from which to seek technical assistance for ensuring successful educational endeavors by Americans of African heritage in the health care arena in Santa Clara and surrounding counties.
An array of programs that provide support, education, information (online and otherwise) for self-development, self-empowerment, advocacy, and resources for families, for consumers, and for Black nurses.
A balanced budget large enough to support the implementation of all of SBBNA's programs in a quality manner; and meets our need for an adequate facility (office building), as well as paid and volunteer staff to support the association's leadership activities.
Americans of African heritage and other typically undeserved populations well represented in health care professions, especially nursing, and receiving health care that is at least care commiserate with that of the dominant group.
SBBNA networking and in collaborative partnership with NBNA (National Black Nurses Association), corporations, and other agencies for local, state, national, and global community development of research and projects that speed the accomplishments of our mission.
SBBNA a major resource for the community, the individual consumer, and offering outstanding peer support, and leadership development for Black nurses.
BSSN an inspirational beacon for past, present, and future nurses, especially those in the so-called 'minority community.
SBBNA a political force in the world as advocate for quality health care for all, for a safe environment, and for healthy community development - heralded as "the public eye."

Our Philosophy

The following beliefs underlie our actions and convictions:

We believe in not being quelled by the seeming quiet, but be ever vigilant. We believe all people deserve respect and optimum health care. We believe that culturally diverse nursing staffs are essential to quality, relevant health care. We believe that there is a discrepancy in access to and the care given to Americans of African heritage and other people of color, consciously or unconsciously. We believe that we as individuals and as a group can make a difference in health care in America. We believe in family-centered, culturally competent, coordinated health care.

Our History

Fannie Hatch moved to the Bay Area from southern California in September 1973. prior to moving to California she lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was an active member of a Professional Nurses Organization called The RN's. This organization served as a catalyst for the black community in getting basic and urgent health care needs channeled to appropriate agencies. It also provided a centerfold for other Black organizations and Black professionals to meet and network during its annual Spring Ball. Approximately a year and a half after getting her family settled and settling into her new position with the Veterans Administration hospital in Palo Alto, California, Fannie sought out other African American nurses employed at the V.A. Two of her first contacts were Joyce Casley and Yvonne McGhee. She shared her experiences as a member of the RN's and solicited their assistance in seeking out other nurses who might be interested in joining a Professional Nursing Organization in this area. Fannie drafted a letter and mailed it out to all hospitals in the south bay area inquiring about African American nurses employed on their staff. Many of the hospitals were reluctant to disclose the names of their nursing staff. Letters were then mailed to most of the identified African American churches asking for the same information.

A month or so later, Nathaniel Dobson, a male nurse working on the spinal cord care unit at the V.A. along with Eish Jackson, one of the Nurse Managers of a psychiatric unit, were recruited for the organization. The first meeting of the South Bay Black Nurses Association, previously known as The RN's, was held early in February 1975 at the home of Fannie Hatch. The organization's name change was prompted by a suggestion from a member of the Bay Area Black Nurses Association in order to align with their chapter. There were only four nurses present at the initial meeting: Joyce Casley, Yvonne McGhee, Nathaniel Dobson, and Fannie Hatch. The second meeting was held at the home of Joyce Casley and only three members were present, Joyce, Fannie, and Yvonne. The third meeting was held at the home of Fannie Hatch. In addition to Fannie, Joyce, and Yvonne, Vannette Braddock, Pansy Jacobs, and Nathaniel Dobson were also present. Officers were elected and Fannie Hatch was elected first president of the South Bay Black Nurses Association. Joyce Casley was elected secretary, Yvonne McGhee was elected treasurer, and Vannette Braddock was elected chaplain.

Dues were $1.00 per month and meetings were scheduled to be held monthly on a rotating basis in members' homes. It was decided that pot-luck treats would follow each meeting.

Fannie Hatch, Joyce Casley, and Yvonne McGhee had a vision that the organization had a mission. It was through their tenacity and commitment that the organization survived through its formative stage. By late 1975 and early 1976 the organization had grown and other charter members included Juliette Hasting, Delores Copeland, Pansy Jacobs, Brenda Meyers, Lavern Carlson, Vernice Whitfield, Eish Jackson, Valerie Heglar, Rosa Williams (a student nurse at the time), Valerie Heglar, Donna Jackson, Alma Jordan, Betty Milton, Ann Wade, Beverly Tobias, Lila Washington, Dorothy Williams, Aggie Burns, Virginia Baham, and Carolyn Spears.

A questionnaire was developed and distributed to determine the need and support for a Black Professional Nurses Organization in the South Bay Area. The poll indicated there was a need and support for such an organization. By June of 1977, a philosophy, by-laws, goals, and objectives were established.

The first fundraiser was held at the San Jose Women's Garden Club on 10th street, in downtown San Jose, California.

The organization is indebted to all of its talented members who are so very generous with their time and expertise. The business of the organization has been carried out in a manner which has afforded success in establishing a network of communication, supplying a support system to many, creating recognition for individual and group achievements, financial support for nursing students, community service, and effecting changes in the overall delivery of health care in the community.

SBBNA is incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state. It is also recognized as such by the United States Department of the Treasury. The SBBNA is an affiliate of the National Black Nurses Association.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Our Philosophy

Our History

Sequence of presidents