Zainabu Sesay-Harrell is an Advance Practice Registered Nurse & University Lecturer who holds a BSN and MSN, and proud graduate of the College of New Rochelle and CUNY-Lehman College Schools of Nursing. She is the founder of Sigma's 618th Chapter, Alpha Beta Upsilon at-Large, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Professionally, she is an international small business owner where she serves underserved communities throughout Sierra Leone & the United States providing health advocacy & education. She has 34 years of experience in health care, with 28 of them in nursing practice. Her expertise includes community health, global health, and education. She has extensive experience in healthcare where she implements, supports, promotes health services, and delivery of quality health care. She is a member of multiple nursing and community based organizations.
Introduced to Sigma Theta Tau as an undergraduate nurse, she became a proud member during graduate school. Through the support of Lehman College, she became a member of the Delta Zeta Chapter, and was appointed the International Chair for Sierra Leone Initiatives in 2019, and Nurses Week Global Initiatives Honoree 2022. Through the support of Sigma nurses throughout the community she was inspired to bring access to professional development and education to the nurses and patients she serves in her community in Sierra Leone, West Africa, focusing on the continent.
Her passion for service began as a new nurse volunteering in Africa in 2003. Through her service, philanthropy, and dedicated work, she has been recognized to serve and lead in several roles over 2 decades such as appointed Cultural Consultant for the Republic of Sierra Leone - NYC Multicultural Festival, reception coordinator member for Sierra Leone Ambassador & President of the Republic Of Sierra Leone, appointed Lead of Healthcare Recruitment for the US-SL Ebola Taskforce, member of United States' Ebola Working Group comprised of US elected officials and community leaders, and Founder of 501c3 nonprofit Sierra Leone Nurses Association, Inc. established in 2008. In 2014 she held the very FIRST Ebola Fundraiser, Health Forum & Prayer Vigil in the United States at Lincoln Hospital in 2014. She remains an active member of Union of Sierra Leone Organization in New York (USLO), former Corresponding Secretary of the New York Black Nurses Association, Inc of National Black Nurses Association and their 23rd Annual Black Nurses Day 2011 National Honoree, Member of NNU, Chi Eta Phi, and member of multiple other nursing organizations. Since 2006, her worked has been recognized by New York City Council, New York State Assembly, Office of the Mayor of New York, US Congress, Republic of Sierra Leone, and United Nations.
As Sigma's Regional Coordinator for Africa, I plan to unite our professional nursing body in the continent and collaborate with all regions. Africa region needs access to opportunities to participate in research & presentation, advance practice nursing, and scholarship opportunities. My goal is to empower them through boosting their local education capacity & quality through their nursing schools & practice settings. One voice in Africa is one voice in Sigma.