Black nurse volunteers give shots to Minnesota's most vulnerable
Shane Price supports his wife, Verna Price, as she gets her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Black Nurses Rock president Kelly Robinson inside of The Power of People Leadership Institute on March 19. Verna Price was hesitant to get the vaccine, but said that having it explained to her by a nurse of color helped her come around. Evan Frost | MPR News
The Power of People Leadership Institute in North Minneapolis has partnered with Black Nurses Rock, a national volunteer network aimed at expanding career opportunities for Black nurses and making healthcare more equitable, to vaccinate people who are at higher risk of being exposed to and getting severely ill from COVID-19, and who face an array of hurdles in getting the vaccine. The institute’s offices provide a familiar and easy-to-get-to location for many people, such as those who are formerly incarcerated, and who may lack transportation or have limited time. Nurses from Black Nurses Rock provide accurate information about the vaccine from a trusted source, which is essential to building trust and overcoming vaccine hesitancy. The group is also developing relationships with key health stakeholders in Minnesota, and after vaccinations, will continue to work toward closing equity gaps by connecting people with the services they need.
