Tackling discrimination and systemic racism in academic and workplace settings
Angela Cooper Brathwaite, Dania Versailles, Daria Adèle Juüdi-Hope, Maurice Coppin, Keisha Jefferies, Renée Bradley, Racquel Campbell, Corsita Garraway, Ola Abanta Thomas Obewu, Cheryl LaRonde‐Ogilvie, Dionne Sinclair, Brittany Groom, Doris Grinspun
Abstract
Racism against Black people, Indigenous and other racialized people continues to exist in healthcare and academic settings. Racism produces profound harm to racialized people. Strategies to address systemic racism must be implemented to bring about sustainable changes in healthcare and academic settings. This quality improvement initiative provides strategies to address systemic racism and discrimination against Black nurses and nursing students in Ontario, Canada. It is part of a broader initiative showcasing Black nurses in action to end racism and discrimination. We have found that people who have experienced racism need healing, support and protection including trauma-related services to facilitate their healing. Implementing multi-level, multi-pronged interventions in workplaces will create healthy work environments for all members of society, especially Black nurses who are both clients/patients and providers of healthcare.