DEIB Champions: Shaping the Future of Belonging
Serena Bumpus, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Executive Officer, Texas Nurses Association
AT TSAE, WE’RE continually inspired by members who are advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). As we enter 2026, these efforts are redefining leadership – showing how inclusion, empathy, and accessibility strengthen our associations and the communities we serve.
To highlight this important work, we are introducing a new series: DEIB Champions. Each installment will spotlight members who are creating spaces where all voices are valued.
If your association is fostering a culture of belonging, we’d love to share your story. Together, we can celebrate the champions shaping a more inclusive future for our profession and beyond.
Organizational Commitment & Strategy
What inspired your association to prioritize DEIB?
Nursing is a dynamic and deeply human profession that serves an incredibly diverse population. Yet, the diversity within the nursing workforce does not reflect the communities we care for. We recognize how vital it is for patients, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds – to see themselves represented among their caregivers. Representation fosters trust, improves communication, and ultimately leads to better health outcomes.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality that racism and discrimination – both implicit and explicit – persist within healthcare systems and even within our own professional circles. Our members and board voiced concerns about these issues, making it clear that DEIB must be a strategic priority.
As an association, we felt a responsibility to lead this work, especially given the growing constraints placed on academic institutions that limit their ability to teach DEIB principles. In response, we established what was originally known as our DEIB Committee to create space for education, dialogue, and action.
In 2025, following recent federal executive orders, we evolved this initiative into the EMPOWER Committee – which stands for Elevating Mindsets, Perspectives, Opportunities, and Welcoming Engaging Relationships. This name reflects our commitment to fostering inclusive environments and driving meaningful change across the profession.
Member Engagement & Belonging
How are members involved in shaping or participating in DEIB efforts?
Our members are the driving force behind our DEIB initiatives. The EMPOWER Committee – comprised of 15 passionate individuals from across the state – represents a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity of thought is essential to advancing meaningful and inclusive change.
Early on, the committee recognized the importance of understanding the systemic and historical challenges within our own profession. To address this, they established two key groups: the Education and Research Subcommittee and the History Workgroup. These teams are focused on uncovering and acknowledging the roots of racism in nursing, examining how it has manifested historically, and identifying where it continues to show up today.
By centering member voices and experiences, we ensure that our DEIB efforts are not only informed by lived realities but also guided by a collective commitment to equity and transformation within the nursing profession.
Looking Ahead
What are your next steps or future goals for DEIB within your association?
Our next major initiative is a statewide survey launching in February 2026, targeting nurses across Texas. This survey will explore their lived experiences with racism in the workplace – where it shows up, how it affects their sense of belonging, and the broader implications for professional culture and patient care. The insights gathered will directly inform our future strategies and programming.
In parallel, our History Workgroup is conducting archival research to uncover key milestones in the desegregation of nursing schools and the integration of our own association. This work is essential to understanding our past and acknowledging the barriers that have shaped our profession. The findings will be compiled into a published report that not only documents our history but also serves as a foundation for continued progress.
Ultimately, our goal is to lead by example. We hope this work inspires other associations to confront systemic racism within their own structures and take bold steps toward equity – not just in healthcare, but across all professions.
