Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA)

What Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA) does

The Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA) is a federally incorporated Canadian non-profit organization founded in July 2020 by Ovie Onagbeboma and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It is the first and only national organization dedicated to advancing Black Canadian nurses through empowerment, mentorship, and advocacy, serving registered nurses, licensed/practical registered nurses, nursing students, and retired nurses across Canada. CBNA operates a WordPress-based membership platform and delivers programs through a network of 16+ academic chapters at universities including McMaster, Western, McGill, University of Toronto, University of Alberta, Dalhousie, and York, alongside regional chapters in Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario.

Its core offerings include tiered individual memberships ($50/year standard, $25/year nursing student), tiered corporate memberships (Silver for 1-25 employees, Gold for 26-50, Platinum+ for 50+), the national Tier One professional mentorship program launched June 2022, the BNSAS (Black Nurses & Students Allied for Success) student mentorship program launched January 2024, the Black Voices In Nursing (BVIN) event series, annual scholarships, and a job postings service. The organization is financed by member subscriptions, donations, and fundraising activities, with no disclosed institutional investors. Its technology footprint is limited to a standard website and social media channels; it does not offer an API or proprietary software product.

CBNA has built an institutional presence through partnerships and policy involvement, including co-development of the National Nursing Retention ToolKit with Health Canada, collaboration on the RNAO Best Practice Guideline for Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Nursing (expert panel, October 2023), and affiliations with the Canadian Nurses Association, Black Health Alliance, NABAD, and the Canadian Health Workforce Network. The organization operates with approximately 11 employees and a volunteer-driven leadership structure across Executive Leadership, National Circle of Leaders, Regional Circle of Leaders, and Circle of Leaders for Special Projects.

Name

Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA)

Legal name

Canadian Black Nurses Alliance

Website

https://canadianblacknursesalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CBNA is a federally incorporated Canadian non-profit and the first national organization dedicated to advancing Black nurses through memberships, mentorship programs, scholarships, and advocacy, serving nurses, students, and healthcare organizations across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Professional Development and Advocacy

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB)

Keywords

• Nursing advocacy services
• Professional mentorship programs
• Nursing scholarship awards
• Healthcare workforce diversity
• Nursing professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: CBNA is financed primarily through member subscriptions. Individual memberships are available at $50/year for standard members and $25/year for nursing students. Corporate membership plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum+) are offered to organizations seeking representation, access, and belonging advisory services.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations to support professional development, scholarship rewards, leadership training, and mentor access for Black Canadian nurses.
3. Fundraising Activities: CBNA conducts fundraising activities as part of its revenue generation strategy.
4. Corporate Membership Fees: Corporate membership plans with tiered pricing based on organization size. Silver (1-25 members), Gold (26-50 members), and Platinum+ (50+ members) provide representation, access and belonging advisory services, position vacancy advertisements, and workshop services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CBNA is a membership-based non-profit that advances Black Canadian nurses through individual and corporate memberships, Tier One professional mentorship and BNSAS student mentorship programs, scholarship awards, the Black Voices In Nursing (BVIN) event series, and a network of academic and regional chapters across Canadian universities and provinces. Services are delivered to Black registered nurses, nursing students, licensed/practical nurses, retired nurses, and corporate healthcare partners seeking representation, access, and belonging advisory services.

Product overview

CBNA operates as a membership-based non-profit organization offering tiered corporate membership plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum+), individual memberships for nurses and nursing students, and programs including national mentorship (Tier One professional and BNSAS student programs), scholarships (Award of Excellence in Nursing Leadership and Award for Community Impact), Black Voices In Nursing event series, academic chapters at Canadian universities, and position postings. The organization is structured around advocacy, empowerment, and mentorship for Black Canadian nurses, with revenue derived from member subscriptions, donations, and fundraising activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Individual Membership Annual membership at $50/year for Black nurses and nursing professionals, providing access to the national community, mentorship programs, networking, coaching, resume preparation, research opportunities, volunteer opportunities, education resources, quarterly newsletter, and advocacy.
• Nursing Student Membership Annual membership at $25/year for nursing students, providing the same benefits as the standard membership with student-specific resources and accessibility.
• Silver Corporate Membership Corporate membership tier for organizations with 1-25 members offering up to 30-minute representation, access and belonging advisory services, curriculum revision and advice, and online platform community access.
• Gold Corporate Membership Corporate membership tier for organizations with 26-50 members offering up to 60-minute representation, access and belonging advisory services, one annual position/role vacancy advertisement, and partnership logo on website.
• Platinum+ Corporate Membership Premium corporate membership tier for organizations with 50+ members offering up to two 60-minute representation, access and belonging advisory services, two annual position/role vacancy advertisements, and a workshop for clinical instructors on supporting students through clinical placements.
• National Mentorship Program (Tier One) Tier One 1:1 mentorship program connecting professional and practicing Black nurses with mentors across Canada for career development, knowledge sharing, and networking support. Available to CBNA members only.
• BNSAS Mentorship Program (Tier Two) Black Nurses and Students Allied for Success (BNSAS) mentorship program pairing Black nursing students with nurses and health professionals in the community, grounded in shared lived experiences. Available to CBNA members only.
• CBNA Award of Excellence in Nursing Leadership Annual scholarship award recognizing academic strength, leadership development, and professional advancement in nursing. Requires official transcripts, proof of course completion, and personal statement.
• CBNA Award for Community Impact Annual scholarship award recognizing demonstrated leadership, service, advocacy, and meaningful impact within Black communities and beyond. Requires description of community initiatives and evidence of impact.
• Black Voices In Nursing (BVIN) Event Series Signature academic event series focused on empowering, educating, and supporting Black nurses and nursing students along their nursing journey, featuring panel discussions and speaker events with Black nurse leaders and professionals.
• Position Postings/Ads Service Job board and position advertising service connecting employers with Black nurses and nursing students, featuring equity-deserving positions and general nursing opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• National mentorship program launched June 2022 with ongoing cohorts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ontario College of Nursing (OIIQ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec nursing regulatory body partnered with CBNA on Black History Month events and recognition initiatives.
• Western University - Faculty of Health Sciences Decolonization, Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression (DARAO) CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Western's DARAO Committee and CBNA Western student chapter to implement the BNSAS mentorship program, combining academic and community resources.
• Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA is affiliated with the Canadian Nurses Association, the national professional nursing organization. This affiliation enables CBNA to provide representation in various sectors and collaborate on advancing the nursing profession while specifically supporting Black nurses.
• African Atlantic Affairs Commission (AAAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working with CBNA to advance Black nursing representation and professional development in Canada.
• Black Atlantic、世界 (AQIIQNA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization collaborating with CBNA on initiatives related to the Black nursing community.
• Black Health AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization addressing health disparities in Black communities and collaborating with CBNA on advocacy and support initiatives.
• Canadian Health Workforce Network (CHWN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA founder Ovie Onagbeboma serves as a stakeholder with the Canadian Health Workforce Network, collaborating on nursing workforce issues affecting Black nurses.
• Nurses Association of the Black and African Diaspora (NABAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing association focused on Black and African diaspora nurses, partnering with CBNA to advance shared goals of representation and professional support.
• Ontario Association of Certified Nursing Students (OACNS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic nursing student organization partnering with CBNA on student initiatives.
• Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health organization specializing in Black community mental health. CBNA Director Shanique Victoria Edwards serves as a Mental Health Consultant with BMHC, enabling integrated mental health support for CBNA members.
• Canadian Black Nurses Alliance - University of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA academic chapter established in 2025 by alumna Ajah Maluk with support from national CBNA and Student Wellness at USask. Focuses on fostering belonging and promoting student success through peer support and mentorship.
• Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA collaborated with RNAO on the Best Practice Guideline for Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Nursing (AABRN BPG), with CBNA leadership and community members serving on the expert panel in October 2023.
• Black Students' Association (BSA) - Memorial UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA-MUN President Kamso Nzewi also serves as Director of Research for the Black Students' Association at Memorial, creating cross-organizational collaboration.
• Health CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA founder Ovie Onagbeboma collaborated with Health Canada in co-development of the National Nursing Retention ToolKit, positioning CBNA as a key stakeholder in national healthcare policy.
• Toronto Metropolitan University - Diversity InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA founder serves as Consultant and Research Associate at the Diversity Institute, enabling research collaboration and educational resource development including Open Educational Resources for nursing curriculum.
• Black Excellence at York UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNA-YorkU President James Ehiagwina serves as a student success peer mentor with Black Excellence at York University, creating collaboration for student support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Black Nurses Association: The U.S. counterpart serving as the national professional organization for Black nurses. Directly comparable mission (advocacy, mentorship, professional development for Black nurses), membership-based structure, and chapter model, making it the closest functional peer despite operating in a different country.
• Nurses Association of the Black and African Diaspora (NABAD): An international nursing association focused on Black and African diaspora nurses, explicitly listed as a CBNA partner. NABAD is the most direct international peer because of its overlapping diaspora focus and shared mission around representation and professional support.
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses: A U.S. national nursing organization serving Hispanic/Latina nurses with a similar membership, mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy model. Conceptually analogous to CBNA as a culturally specific nursing membership organization, though serving a different demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Nurses Association: The national professional nursing association for all Canadian nurses. Comparable in its national scope and policy advocacy role but broader and more established; CBNA is affiliated with CNA and uses its umbrella to amplify Black-nurse-specific issues.
• Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO): Ontario's professional nursing association, comparable as a membership-driven advocacy and best-practice body. CBNA co-developed the AABRN Best Practice Guideline with RNAO, making RNAO a relevant peer for advocacy, best-practice, and policy engagement rather than direct competition.

Emerging players

• Black Health Alliance: A Canadian nonprofit addressing health disparities in Black communities, listed as a CBNA partner. Overlaps with CBNA's equity and advocacy mission but focuses on broader Black community health rather than the nursing workforce specifically.
• National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) / Indigenous Services Canada health workforce partners: Organizations addressing Indigenous nursing workforce representation in Canada through similar chapter and mentorship models. Conceptually analogous as culturally specific health workforce advocacy groups, though serving Indigenous rather than Black nursing populations.

Others

• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing: A global nursing honor society with executive involvement from CBNA's Ontario Regional Lead. Comparable in professional credentialing and member services for nurses, but functions as a scholarly honor society rather than a culturally specific advocacy organization.
• Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC): A Canadian mental health organization specializing in Black community mental health, with CBNA's Director of Mental Health also serving as a consultant. Comparable in addressing health equity for Black Canadians but focused on mental rather than nursing workforce issues.
• Canadian Health Workforce Network (CHWN): A Canadian health workforce stakeholder network where CBNA's founder serves as a stakeholder. Overlaps with CBNA's policy work on nursing retention and workforce diversity but operates as a multi-stakeholder research network rather than a membership association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thecbna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-black-nurses-alliance-cbna-8b452b1b6
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecbna

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA)