The Black Native American Association (BNA) is an intertribal group of people with African-American and Native American heritage who organized in the late summer of 1992. Our membership is comprised of people of all ages and from many walks of life including students, teachers, housing developers, trainers, social workers, journalists, activists, chemists, and more.

The founders are Don 'Little Cloud' Davenport: Seminole ( Bird Clan/Creek/Chickasaw/Sudanese; Zenobia Embry-Nimmer: Black and Tslagi (Cherokee); Richard (Rip) " Henonoquaad ( Keeper of the Fire )" Harris: Creek and Choctaw, and Bonita Roxie Aleja Sizemore: ( Porch Creek Band / Seminole / Choctaw / Tslagi, with her African ancestors from Mali and Sudan.

The BNA developed to its current state after the founders came together at the 1992 annual Silver Star Pow Wow held in Oakland, California, sponsored by the American Indian Film Institute. Although our association was founded in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area our intertribal membership includes indigenous peoples from all over the world. We intentionally honor ALL our ancestors.

Our Association is an integral part of urban and rural Native American Communities as well as active in many different activities in the Black Community. In terms of Native American involvement we are a member of the Bay Area American Indian Representatives (BAAIR). We participate on various committees such as the Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Pow Wow in Berkeley, California, which replaces the exclusive and insulting Columbus Day. Additionally, we participate and support the International Indian Treaty Council's United Nation's activities for Non Governmental Organizations and the Bay Area's Intertribal Friendship House. Each Founder and general member is known for their own unique contributions: From conscientiously participating in Gourd Dancing, to providing services to the low income elderly, to building housing for low income people (s), to providing education to young people, and working to provide higher education for all. One of our founders also participated in the 1995 United Nations World Conference for Women in China where we were able to further interact with indigenous peoples from all over the world. Some of our BNA meetings have consisted of work sessions to assist person in completing their traditional regalia, which honors all their ancestors, to wear in ceremony and at pow wows. Members also share knowledge and provide traditional instruction in beadwork, carving, weaving, leatherwork, metal-smithing, painting, dancing, songs, and music. Additionally, we assist those who suffer/struggle with cultural and racial identity issues.