Equity in Action Series | The Contemporary Landscape of Racism in Nursing: Where Do We Go from Here?

Kenya V. Beard, EdD, AGACNP, ANEF, FAAN, is the Inaugural Dean for the School of Nursing at Mercy College. She is a 2012 Macy Faculty Scholar who recently co-created and led the nation’s first Nurse Faculty Fellow’s program to strengthen the preparedness of nurses transitioning from the role of clinician to educator. As a past-Senior Fellow at the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, she co-produced health care disparity segments for HealthCetera, on WBAI for an audience of over 400,000 listeners. Recognizing that a diverse workforce could improve healthcare outcomes, she led efforts to advance the needle on diversity, inclusion, and health equity for over three decades. Dr. Beard is a national speaker who is driven by a scientific passion for providing meaningful ways to eliminate health care disparities through a diverse, well-prepared workforce. Many have benefitted from her webinars, blogs, workshops, research, and publications that speak to the complexities of diversity and emphasize critical ways to advance health equity. Her workshop, Leading in a Race-Conscious Society, is supported by the Harvard Macy Institute’s Program for Educators in the Health Professions. As a proponent for elevating equity in academia, she led the New York State Action Coalition in constructing the 2014 Workforce Diversity Toolkit for New York. In 2020, she served as a reviewer for the National Academy of Medicine's Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report. Her work has earned her numerous awards and honors. Dr. Beard is currently a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, Academy of Nursing Education and American Academy of Nursing. She serves on the American Academy of Nursing’s Institute for Nursing Leadership and the editorial board for the American Journal of Nursing. She recently co-authored a National Academy of Medicine Perspectives commentary entitled "Dismantling Systemic Racism and Advancing Health Equity throughout Research". Dr. Beard is a Commissioner for the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing and the past Chairperson for the New York State Board of Nursing.

As a consultant, health equity advocate, and former academic, I am dedicated to empowering educators and institutions to create transformative learning experiences that prioritize equity and social justice. With over 12 years of experience in nursing education, I bring a deep understanding of the complexities of academic environments and the need for inclusive and antiracist practices. I believe in the power of education to drive systemic change. Through my consulting work, I partner with nursing schools, faculty, and leaders to design programs that not only address the challenges of today’s diverse educational landscape but also inspire meaningful, lasting impact. My approach is collaborative and strategic, rooted in evidence-based practices and a commitment to fostering environments where all learners can thrive. Throughout my career, I have led initiatives that bridge the gap between theory and practice, whether by creating innovative curriculum designs, facilitating difficult conversations, or mentoring the next generation of nurse educators. I specialize in helping educators navigate the complexities of health equity, offering practical tools and strategies to engage students and communities with empathy and resilience. When I’m not working with clients, you can find me advocating for policy changes, exploring new approaches to leadership in education, or guiding participants in the Health Equity Influencers Program for Nurse Educators (HEIP-NE) as they develop and implement impactful projects. My goal is simple: to build a more just and equitable future through the power of education.

Dr. Kellie Bryant is currently the Director of the Center for Innovation in Education Excellence at the National League for Nursing. Dr. Bryant has garnered expertise in her field with a teaching career spanning over two decades and 17 years of specialized simulation experience. Within her current role, she is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction, focusing on developing revenue-generating initiatives that advance teaching excellence and enhance faculty skills for contemporary learners. This includes expanding the NLN faculty development program offerings with innovative teaching and learning strategies, while also enhancing online and in-person resources, and developing new simulation and technology products through collaborations with strategic partners. In addition, she also serves as a consultant for Dr. Uché Blackstock’s Advancing Health Equity. Dr. Bryant's research pursuits include leveraging simulation to enhance patient safety, prevent opioid overdoses, and create nursing pathway programs to inspire historically marginalized students to pursue a nursing career. Her scholarly accomplishments include the publication of over 30 articles and book chapters. Her dedication to sharing knowledge is evident in her extensive dissemination efforts, which include over 100 presentations.