Ontario Black Nurses' Network
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  • Home
  • Our Mission
  • About Us
  • Membership Information
    • RN/RPN/NP
    • Nursing Students
    • Membership Renewal
  • Nurses Leadership Program
    • Nurses Leadership Program
    • SU 2022 Program Report
  • Centre 4 Black Excellence
    • Welcome to the CBE
    • Find out More - Video
    • Writing Wednesdays
  • Skin and Wound Care
    • Position Statement
    • Skin Resource Toolbox2024
  • MEMBER LOGIN
  • SHOP
  • Information pamphlets

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about us

At Ontario Black Nurses’ Network we are here to help Black nurses and nursing students with their professional development through community engagement, networking, and scholarship opportunities. We believe that there is always an opportunity to share and learn from one another. We are passionate about where we have been in our nursing journey, and where we have yet to go – along the way we want to support and foster great relationships with other nursing colleagues.  

Our Team

Executive director/founder

director - PROGRAM DESIGN, BLACK NURSES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

 SHELLY PHILIP LAFOREST, RN, BN, MN, CVAA(C), PhD student 


 "I have been a Registered Nurse since 1999 and I started my career in paediatrics.  I have worked on Surgery, Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Operating Room, Burns and Plastics and Vascular Access teams. Over the past decade, I have held a variety of educational and leadership roles

 SHELLY PHILIP LAFOREST, RN, BN, MN, CVAA(C), PhD student 


 "I have been a Registered Nurse since 1999 and I started my career in paediatrics.  I have worked on Surgery, Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Operating Room, Burns and Plastics and Vascular Access teams. Over the past decade, I have held a variety of educational and leadership roles at various post-secondary institutions along with being engaged with several community agencies. I truly enjoy lifelong learning and supporting new learners in school and at the bedside" 

director - PROGRAM DESIGN, BLACK NURSES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

director - PROGRAM DESIGN, BLACK NURSES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

  ACKEISHA HAMILTON, RPN, RN, BN, MscHq      


"Ackeisha has been a nurse for 17 years. She began her nursing career in addictions medicine and acute care. She also worked in community, long-term care and  agency nursing. Ackeisha transitioned from "bedside" nursing to working in a non-traditional nursing role with the College of Nurses of 

  ACKEISHA HAMILTON, RPN, RN, BN, MscHq      


"Ackeisha has been a nurse for 17 years. She began her nursing career in addictions medicine and acute care. She also worked in community, long-term care and  agency nursing. Ackeisha transitioned from "bedside" nursing to working in a non-traditional nursing role with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). While at the CNO, she continued her nursing education, completing her Bachelor of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse and her Master of Science in Healthcare Quality. During her 11-years with the CNO, she worked in various nursing roles, including as an investigator and Advanced Practice Consultant. She is dedicated to mentoring and supporting future nurse leaders."

development officer

LORI ZOZZOLOTTO, RN, NSWOC


"I have been a nurse since 2008 when I began my career as Registered Practical Nurse, then attained my Registered Nursing Degree in 2012, and my designation as a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) in 2018. I have held positions in the ER, clinics, schools and community nursing. I currently 

LORI ZOZZOLOTTO, RN, NSWOC


"I have been a nurse since 2008 when I began my career as Registered Practical Nurse, then attained my Registered Nursing Degree in 2012, and my designation as a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) in 2018. I have held positions in the ER, clinics, schools and community nursing. I currently work as the Clinical Specialist for a medical devices company where I am able to use my nursing skills, as well as my background in Journalism to create webinars and educate clinicians, patients and new nurses. I am also dedicated to promoting diversity in my workplace and in my nursing organization through the volunteer roles that I hold there"


director of education and training

Andrea McCurdy Barton, RN, BSCN, DE


"I am very excited to be a part of this dynamic organization OBNN. I want to communicate and collaborate with members regarding events, resources, continuing learning, networking with colleagues in my field and ensuring smooth functioning of any educational activities"


chief partnership strategist

Assistant to the executive director

 NIEMA DURI, RN, BScN


"I have been a nurse for over 15 years and I specialize in breastfeeding, infant feeding, and pediatric care. I have provided nursing education in both classroom and clinical practice settings, with expertise in infection prevention, respiratory medicine, general medicine, and infectious diseases.  My experience inclu

 NIEMA DURI, RN, BScN


"I have been a nurse for over 15 years and I specialize in breastfeeding, infant feeding, and pediatric care. I have provided nursing education in both classroom and clinical practice settings, with expertise in infection prevention, respiratory medicine, general medicine, and infectious diseases.  My experience includes delivering educational and training sessions to diverse audiences, and I possess excellent interpersonal skills that enable me to establish and maintain strong public relations"

Assistant to the executive director

Assistant to the executive director

SAFIYYA LAFOREST, 

BSc (Honours - Neuroscience)


"I am a first year Masters student with a strong science background.  I have been recognized for my leadership, academic, and research skills and am continuing to engage in community activities"

student ambassador

Past- director (2023-2025)

student ambassador

 MILLY LYVIA ITEKA


"I am finishing up my second year of nursing in the collaborative program at Trent University. I am the first in my family to follow the nursing career path, but what drives my pursuit is the contributions I can make in healthcare as a future nurse. These contributions include maintaining a position of advocacy for black

 MILLY LYVIA ITEKA


"I am finishing up my second year of nursing in the collaborative program at Trent University. I am the first in my family to follow the nursing career path, but what drives my pursuit is the contributions I can make in healthcare as a future nurse. These contributions include maintaining a position of advocacy for black clients and other black healthcare professionals, for their fundamental needs and rights; and working collaboratively to bring awareness of the barriers that affect black excellence.  I am excited to join OBNN as the objectives align with my professional goals as a future nurse, as well as being a part of a community that encourages unity and support" 

student ambassador

Past- director (2023-2025)

student ambassador

 ALYSIA FORDE-KLUMB 


"I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Trent University. Along with a certificate in pre-health science, I also hold a diploma in early childhood education. After completing my degree, my aim is to work within the mental health sector and help reduce the disparities and inequit

 ALYSIA FORDE-KLUMB 


"I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Trent University. Along with a certificate in pre-health science, I also hold a diploma in early childhood education. After completing my degree, my aim is to work within the mental health sector and help reduce the disparities and inequities faced by those with mental health challenges. It Is a privilege for me to be one of OBNN's student ambassadors and I am eager to provide assistance to others in any way possible."

Past- director (2023-2025)

Past- director (2023-2025)

Past- director (2023-2025)

JANELLE LAMBERT, RN 


As the Director of Education & Training for the Ontario Black Nurses Network, Janelle brings a wealth of experience spanning in acute care, primary care, mental health, nursing regulation, and nursing education. Her nursing journey began as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), advancing through a Bachelor of Science in 

JANELLE LAMBERT, RN 


As the Director of Education & Training for the Ontario Black Nurses Network, Janelle brings a wealth of experience spanning in acute care, primary care, mental health, nursing regulation, and nursing education. Her nursing journey began as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), advancing through a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and culminating in a Master of Nursing in Leadership. Driven by a commitment to uplift and empower, she is passionate about guiding and educating the next generation of nurses, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and resilience in healthcare.

Past- director (2021-2023)

Past- director (2021-2023)

Past- director (2023-2025)

 PETROIYA PATERSON, DNP-NI, MN, RN 


 "I started my nursing career caring for patients in the Multi-Organ Transplant unit. After deciding to do my Masters in nursing, I changed my focus to educating nurses. I obtained my Masters of Nursing from Ryerson University in 2010 and have had numerous education and leadership roles since then. I am 

 PETROIYA PATERSON, DNP-NI, MN, RN 


 "I started my nursing career caring for patients in the Multi-Organ Transplant unit. After deciding to do my Masters in nursing, I changed my focus to educating nurses. I obtained my Masters of Nursing from Ryerson University in 2010 and have had numerous education and leadership roles since then. I am now working as a Clinical Informatics Practice Leader, which I love, and have a Doctorate of Nursing Practice focusing on Nursing Informatics"

Past-Director (2021-2023)

Past- director (2021-2023)

Past-Director (2021-2023)

  CRYSTAL COX-RICHARDS, RN, BScN, MN  


 "I am a Registered Nurse who earned my Nursing Diploma from Humber College in 2002.  I then attained a Nursing Degree from Ryerson University in 2007 and then a Masters in Nursing from Athabasca University in 2018.  I began my nursing career as a surgical nurse but have delved into correctional nursi

  CRYSTAL COX-RICHARDS, RN, BScN, MN  


 "I am a Registered Nurse who earned my Nursing Diploma from Humber College in 2002.  I then attained a Nursing Degree from Ryerson University in 2007 and then a Masters in Nursing from Athabasca University in 2018.  I began my nursing career as a surgical nurse but have delved into correctional nursing as well as other educational and leadership roles and positions.  My current position as an Afterhours Manager allows me to not only support the healthcare organization but also support the healthcare personnel including nurses on a regular basis" 

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