Interviews with Nurses of Color and their Allies
The Interviews
40 Interviews were carried out in 2021 with nurses from around the United States. The interviews span decades of professional and personal experience of nurses of color, covering a large range of topics and concerns.
All words and images in the recordings belong to the participating interviewers and interview subjects, and are used here in sole use by permission. Any reproduction, repurposing or distribution of stories requires further written consent.
Nikki E. Akparewa
Nikki shares why nursing connects her to community, and the trauma that comes from passive-aggressive racism.
Juliette Blount
Juliette talks about race-based assumptions in healthcare and how racism propelled her into leadership.
Florence Emananjo-Ochieze
Florence talks about coming from a family of nurses, the lack of resources for Black students, and why racism persists.
Danaya Hall
Danaya discusses her proximity to whiteness, why she chose midwifery, and the racist nature of a medical education.
Sylvia Jalil-Gutierrez
Sylvia talks about being referred to as the “token,” why she chose academia, and what the nursing profession can do to be anti-racist.
Megan Ludena
Megan talks about being the only black person at work and the importance of the Black Nurses’ Association.
Melissa Mokel
Melissa talks about awakening to the conversation around race and health inequity, and fighting for recognition.
Caroline Ortiz
Caroline shares the duality between the cultural healing practices of her childhood, versus western bio-medicine.
Jackeline Biddle Richard
Jackeline talks about her awakening to micro-aggressions and the need to acknowledge structural racism.
Anitha Saravanan
Anitha talks about how to handle racist questions from students and how care has the potential to transcend racism.
Joseph Marc A. de Veyra
Joseph shares his experience migrating to the U.S., and his career path from journalist, to nurse, to hospital administrator.