Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, ANF initiated this three-year project in 2001 to enhance the leadership skills among nurses and to develop the leadership competencies that are necessary in an increasingly racially and ethnically diverse health care environment. The project, headed by Hattie Bessent, EdD, RN, FAAN has three goals. They are:
1. To expand and enhance nursing leadership training at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU),
2. To enhance the abilities of leaders at 12 historically black colleges and universities to negotiate partnership arrangements with leaders in majority colleges and universities, and
3. To assist minority nurse leaders in their quest to improve nursing and health care in the United States.
The project offers participating nurses mentorship opportunities and active involvement in quarterly seminars and workshops. The project also includes an Advisory Committee whose member meet regularly to work with the Project Director on developing project activities, publications and other program-related material. Now in the third year of this grant, twelve students participate in this first cohort of students.
As an additional element to the LEAD grant, travel funds were requested from the Kellogg Foundation to support the LEAD fellows attendance at professional meetings. This request was based upon the fellows indicating how travel would enhance their knowledge in allowing travel to various nursing organization meetings and to gain international experiences. Fellows have been able to travel to Ethiopia, to the Royal College of Nursing in London, England, and to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Travel within the United States will include attendance at the Black Nurses Association meeting.
In January of 2004, a second proposal for three years of support was submitted to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This second grant was designed to include the remaining Historically Black Colleges and Universities that had health programs. A major feature of this proposal was the implementation of the LEAD model that grew out of the first LEAD grant. In addition, the program was designed to provide participants theoretical theoretical insights related to leadership as well as improve or develop competencies necessary for them to function at a higher, leadership, level. Equally important, the program was designed to help minority nurses become more effective in contributing to the improvement of the position of nursing in the United States.
This second grant was funded for a three-year period by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and entitled LEAD II and will allow for an additional twelve fellows to participate in this nursing leadership experience and work under the auspices of a mentor.
For more information, contact ANF via e-mail
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