DEI Newsletter

Celebrating Belonging, Reflection, and Renewal

Welcome to the December edition of the Association of California Nurse Leaders Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Newsletter. As 2025 comes to a close, we pause to celebrate the incredible work California nurse leaders have done to advance equity, belonging, and cultural humility across every setting of care. The holidays are a natural time for reflection—and a chance to renew our commitment to justice and joy in the year ahead.

This season, let’s honor all traditions, all ways of giving, and all voices that make our profession stronger. DEI isn’t a one‑month project; it’s a practice of daily awareness, courageous conversations, and compassionate leadership.

The DEI Committee Members:

Anitra Williams

Christina M. Oldini

Janette Moreno

Kimberly Long

Karen Mitchell-Keels

Marshall Blue

Nicole Barnett

Sharon Goldfarb

Sheree Criner

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space—a better space—for everyone.” — George Deeney

ACNL DEI Committee: Recommitting to our Mission in a Time of Challenge

Over the past year, we have watched the landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion shift in dramatic and often unsettling ways. Across the country, DEI is being challenged, reinterpreted, or at times, directly attacked. For many nurses, educators, and leaders committed to health equity, this moment has felt both heavy and deeply personal. We know that when DEI is under assault, communities already facing structural inequities are the first to feel the consequences. And as nurse leaders, we cannot—and will not—be silent.

At ACNL, we have always grounded our work in the conviction that equity is not an optional add-on to nursing leadership, it is its foundation. This past year, however, brought significant internal transitions. With staffing changes, evolving responsibilities, and several major ACNL initiatives moving forward simultaneously, our small but mighty DEI Committee found ourselves doing what nurses do best: wearing many hats, often all at once, while consistently delivering exceptional outcomes. As the scope of our work grew increasingly complex, our commitment never wavered, even while our capacity was undeniably stretched.

That is why our DEI newsletter has been on a brief hiatus—not from lack of commitment, but because we refused to publish something that did not meet the depth and integrity our members deserve. We knew we needed to pause, regroup, and build a structure that allows us to communicate consistently and sustainably.

Today, we are excited to share that we are returning with a quarterly newsletter format—a rhythm that will allow us to deliver thoughtful, substantive content while honoring the many roles each of us holds within ACNL and across the nursing profession.

And let us be absolutely clear: shifting to a quarterly schedule is not a step back. It is a strategic move toward deeper, more meaningful engagement.

We are more committed than ever to advancing racial equity, ensuring inclusive leadership pathways, elevating diverse voices in nursing, and championing the health-equity policies that improve outcomes for all Californians. With continued guidance and steadfast support of Dr. Kimberly Long, ACNL’s dedication to DEI remains unwavering.

This is a moment that calls for courage, clarity, and collective action. We are honored to continue this work with all of you—and we are grateful for your partnership as we strengthen a nursing future rooted in justice, compassion, and belonging.

Best,

Dr. Nicole Barnett

Dr. Sharon Goldfarb

December Focus: Belonging Across Traditions

The close of the year brings a mosaic of celebrations—Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas, and more. Each offers a moment to connect, reflect, and express gratitude.

Consider this month’s micro-actions:

1. Ask, don’t assume. Invite colleagues to share how they observe—or don’t observe—holidays.

2. Expand your calendar. Post a multicultural holiday calendar in staff areas.

3. Honor inclusion in action. Spotlight team members who create belonging (e.g., inclusive potlucks, flexible scheduling, language-access improvements).

4. Model equity in giving. When planning donations or volunteer drives, include organizations serving under-represented communities.

Spotlight: Health Equity in the Season of Giving

The holidays can amplify health inequities—food insecurity, housing instability, isolation, and mental-health strain. Nurse leaders can respond by:

Partnering with local shelters or community clinics for resource drives.
Providing culturally attuned care to patients celebrating differently or grieving during the season.
Encouraging staff self-care—remind teams that inclusion includes themselves.

“Whose well-being might I unintentionally overlook this season, and what small act could restore balance?”

Voices of Inclusion

“Our unit’s first multilingual holiday cardboard helped patients feel seen.” — Charge Nurse, Central Valley

“We held a ‘Lights of All Kinds’ celebration—Hanukkah candles, Kwanzaa kinara, Solstice lanterns—every symbol represented.” — Nurse Educator, Los Angeles

If your team has a story, share it! Email dei@acnl.org to be featured in March’s “Goal Setting, Mentoring, and Representation" issue.

Nurse Charities to Consider this Holiday Season

Healing Politics | Inspire. Motivate. Recruit. Train.

Homepage - California Health Care Foundation

Our Priorities Health Equity All Californians should have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential for health. CHCF is working with a wide range of partners to remove structural barriers to care and build a just and equitable health care system that is designed to redress, not perpetuate, the inequities that too many of our […]

chcf.org

Direct Relief | Official Site | DirectRelief.org

Recommended Resources

ACNL In Action: Revisiting DEI w/Anna Valdez

Charlene talks with Anna Valdez, Chair of the Nursing Department at Sonoma State University. Dr. Valdez’s research is particularly focused on DEI, bias, and health equity. They talk about racism in nursing, how it affects patients as well as nurses themselves, and what leaders can do to acknowledge racism in the profession and their own organizations.

healthpodcastnetwork.com

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Academic Nursing

As the collective voice for academic nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) serves as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. This AACN position statement is intended to articulate the vision and principles of AACN associated with these values, which may be reflected in similar statements by AACN members.

aacnnursing.org