About Our Chapter
How we started
Black Nurses Rock Greater Charlotte was founded in 2019 by Melissa Bellamy, MSN, APRN, FNP-C and ten other founding members. Through volunteer efforts, mentoring, and educating the most at-risk populations in our community, our goal is to bridge healthcare disparity gaps, while collaborating with various local and national organizations. Members include LPN’s, RN’s, APRN’s, and nursing students who are currently enrolled in a Nursing Program.
We are seeking nurses and nursing students to apply for membership. There are no restrictions on race or ethnicity; we only ask that members respect and align with the mission of BNR. Our goal is to address health care disparities and help close the gaps in the Greater Charlotte areas. We choose to inspire, educate, and offer empowerment to nurses and our Charlotte communities.
Our chapter membership has grown over 65 paid BNR chapter members. These members bring a youthful, vibrant, and energetic aura of leadership skills to our chapter. We believe having fresh ideas from our members will help towards the delivery of amazing healthcare throughout the community.
Accomplishments
Our chapter has helped in many contributions for the Charlotte area. We have participated in the Susan G. Komen walks, which is one of the largest walks in North Carolina. We’ve participated in the Alzheimer’s disease walk. Our organization has helped raise funds on multiple occasions for our very own community partners, RAIN, Incorporate. We have raised over $1200 in funds for nursing scholarships to be given out at our first Nursing Scholarship Ball on Noember 14, 2020. Established and developed collaborative relationships with health care related groups in our community. We’ve partnered with RAIN, Inc. where they focus on empowering people living with HIV and those at risk. With the vision of ending HIV in our Charlotte community, we helped with raising over $110,000 in funds to go towards medical treatments, medications, and much more.
On, January 26, 2020, our former Vice President Danette Hampton and other chapter members participated in an open discussion panel to educate the community about the advancement care of HIV, treatments, and prevention. Other community partnerships include volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club with their “SMART GIRLS” mentorship program. Dedicating time with single mothers and their children at Gracious Hands Transitional Housing. We also served at the YWCA in Greensboro, N.C. where they provide a number of programs and services for people in need through their parenting programs, community engagement initiatives, youth empowerment opportunities, and onsite emergency family shelter. We also held our Inaugural Scholarship Gala and awarded 3 nursing scholarships