Of the four million professionals in the field of nursing, fewer than 10% are Black. In higher education, less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black. In response to this shortage, four Black PhD Nurse Scientists- Drs. Schenita Davis Randolph, Kamila Alexander, Dawn Aycock, and Fawn Cothran – launched Black PhD Nurse Scientists (formerly named the Black Nurse Scientists Mentoring Program).

As Fellows in the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators, the four Nurse Scientists realized that they shared a key commonality that was significant to their success- they all attended a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). With a one-year grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the four nurse scientists developed BPNS with input from Nurse leaders, Black PhD-prepared Nurses, Administrators and those aspiring to obtain a PhD in nursing or a related field. As a result of this formative data, BPNS was formed with three key components: HBCU tours, writing and wellness retreats, and social networking and support.