To amplify awareness and education that there is breast cancer crisis in the Black community.
Provide the support and sisterhood through our extensive 25+ survivor-run affiliate chapters in major U.S. cities.
Mobilize and provide advocacy training to our affiliate network of survivors and ambassadors to take action and advocate for change on the state and federal level to help save our Sisters’ lives.
To improve black women’s access to mammogram screenings, quality care and access to resources and information.
Kim M. Kirkland
“Sisters”
Signature art piece
by Bettie Eubanks, Fine Artist
STOP THE SILENCE, hear our cry
No more need to pass us by.
We’re Mothers, and Sisters and Brothers too.
We’re just trying to get the word out to you.
STOP THE SILENCE, we know the challenge is great.
We won’t be silent, you know lives are at stake.
We’re spreading the word as we go door to door.
We’re marching for justice, and we won’t be ignored.
STOP THE SILENCE, we won’t give up.
Our body may be weak, bur our soul is tough.
If you look at our faces, we are the same.
We’re standing united, no longer ashamed.
STOP THE SILENCE, our gloves are on.
We’re fighting breast cancer, our commitment is strong!
Pledge hours of service, your money, or time.
Let’s fight this together, that’s the bottom line.
So, STOP THE SILENCE the hour is NOW!
We’re building partnerships, and we’ll tell you how.
All we need is commitment, so what do you say?
We’re stating our case and we’re marching today.
Dedicated to “Sisters”
I’m a Survivor of life, of my own accord
On a path of hope, and dreams, my testimony is my reward
In my travels I’ve come, across a once unspoken word
Cancer, which knows no race, or color, no one deserves
I can’t say it’s been easy, I’ve been put to the test
And I haven’t given up…See I’m doing my best
I’ve come across many paths, on lifes’ road every day
Some still here, some now gone, but I’m here to stay
I’m a SURVIVOR, let the truth be told
In the face of it all, I do dare to be bold!
My banner is faith, and my strengths from above
I’ll fight for it all, and when I am done…
You’ll say, there goes that Survivor, because my love will remain
Flowing from generations to come, again and again,
You’re my Sisters, and we’ve been through it all,
We’ve met the challenge head on, so let our stories be told
We are all SURVIVORS, and I’m here to stay
In mind, body, or spirit, Forever, and Always….
Dedicated to “Sisters”
Press on my sister, our connection is so deep
Press on my sister, it’s okay to weep
I understand your woes, and I’m feeling your soul
Press on, press on, press on
Press on my sister, take a pause for the cause
Press on my sister, just because, just because
Your steps are ordered through his grace, his love and mercy won’t ever be replaced.
Press on, press on, press on.
Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) was founded in 1994 by Karen Eubanks Jackson. Sisters Network Inc. is the first and only national Black breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States to have a unique operation of affiliate chapters nationwide. The national headquarters is located in Houston, Texas, the medical capital of the U.S.
Sisters Network® Inc is governed by an elected Board of Directors. An appointed medical scientific advisory board provides medical input to support Sisters Network ®Inc. national programs and initiatives.
A pioneer and a true visionary, Jackson was driven by her own personal breast cancer diagnosis, the challenges and eventual triumphs over breast cancer to help save the lives of other Black women nationwide. Jackson set out to confront the silence, shame and stigma too often associated with breast cancer in the Black community and STOP THE SILENCE®.
Jackson was also motivated to start the national organization after her own frustrating experience and the recognition of the absence of a supportive “sisterhood” in traditional organizations, coupled with a devastating and alarming mortality rate for Black women.
Over the last 30 years and under Jackson’s leadership, Sisters Network® Inc. has solidified its position as the pioneer and leader in the National Black Breast Cancer movement. The organization is recognized nationally among leading medical establishments nationwide, breast cancer experts, researchers and the Black community.
Sisters Network® Inc. is recognized as the “go-to” organization for Black breast health and a critical information resource to support Black women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Jackson’s objective remains the same as when she started Sisters Network® Inc. To educate and empower Black women, encourage early detection, and ultimately increase survival rates of Black women who continue to die more often and at alarming rates as compared to white women.
The organization’s purpose and goal is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge and education that addresses the breast cancer crisis affecting Black women around the United States.
The organization unveils the guiding National Creed:
In Unity There Is Strength
In Strength There is Power
In Power There Is Change
Charting new territory is not uncommon for the innovative organization. In 1999, Sisters Network® Inc. broke new ground by hosting the nation’s first National African American Breast Cancer Conference to specifically address the devastating impact of breast cancer among Black women.
For over 15 years, the conference which attracted hundreds of participants, including nationally recognized medical experts’ presenters. The conference has been held in metropolitan cities such as Houston, TX., Atlanta, GA., Detroit, MI., Richmond, VA., and Chicago, IL.
Established in 2006, Sisters Network® Inc. Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) is a national financial assistance and mammogram/ultrasound program. Financial assistance up to $350 (Housing and Utilities support) is provided to any breast cancer survivor in active treatment. BCAP also provides 3-D Mammogram support to women who are uninsured through our partnerships with leading mammography screening facilities in the United States.
Over the last 19 years, BCAP has provided nearly $2 million dollars in financial assistance and to an estimated 10,000 survivors and paid for over 5,000 mammograms for uninsured women nationwide.
In 2022, the Breast Cancer Assistance Program was renamed the Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program in recognition and honor of the legacy of Karen E. Jackson, Founder/CEO, a 4-time, 31-year and pioneer in the Black breast cancer movement.
BCAP is open three times per year contingent on funding.
In April 2010, Sisters Network Inc., made history by hosting the Stop the Silence® 5K Walk/Run, the 1st National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk /Run in Houston Texas. The historic event attracted over 2,000 participants. The annual event has continued to attract participants from across the country to amplify breast cancer awareness in the Black community, replace fear with HOPE and help raise funds to support the Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP), which provides financial assistance to any breast cancer survivor and pays for 3D mammograms and ultrasounds for uninsured women.
In 2020, the organization was forced to cancel the annual walk due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, the was hosted virtually with over 2500 participants.
In 2022, Sisters Network Inc. resumed hosting the annual Stop the Silence 5K Walk/Run and continues today attracting over 4000 participants annually. In 2026, the walk will celebrate its 16th year.
In 2012, Sisters Network® Inc. made history by purchasing “The Sister House” located in the heart Houston’s 3rd Ward community and approximately 2 miles from Houston’s renowned medical center. The spacious two-story state of the art building was home to Sisters Network® Inc. and provided a venue for the organization to host events and community breast health forums.
The Sister House was based on the Founder’s vision to provide an inviting space for breast cancer survivors to come and be supported and educated. Additionally, the Sister House provided accommodations for survivors traveling to Houston for advanced breast cancer medical care.
Sisters Network® Inc. national campaign, “STOP THE SILENCE®,” speaks directly to the nations, Black communities, long-standing history of not discussing cancer and other life-threatening health concerns.
The national slogan has been used in billboard and bumper sticker campaigns.
Teens 4 Pink is designed to educate teen girls, ages 12-17, on the importance of breast health and equip them to become breast health ambassadors and leaders in their community. Teens 4 Pink initially consisted of partnerships with local churches. Teens attended presentation workshops and were provided a take-home survey to collect data about their family breast health history.
The goal of the program is to educate youth about breast health, and to encourage the women in their lives (mother, grandmother, sisters’ or aunts) to be on schedule with their mammograms. If a financial barrier for screening exist, Sisters Network® Inc. Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) can help eliminate any access barriers.
In 2024, Teens4Pink was relaunched as an innovative mobile app to expand the programs outreach and educational efforts. The app is available to download on Apple and Google Play.
Teens receive community service hours and a certificate of participation.
Sisters Network® Inc. hosted its first Patient Education & Empowerment Webinars in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The organization successfully pivoted during the global pandemic to continue to provide education, support and financial resources to women battling breast cancer.
Sisters Network® Inc. made history in 2021 by being the first national organization to publicly state there is a breast cancer crisis in the black community. The groundbreaking virtual national townhall, The State of the Black Breast Cancer Crisis, “A National Townhall and Call To Action,” shined the spotlight on the devastating breast cancer crisis taking the lives of black women. The event featured the late Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee, Civil Rights leader, Al Sharpton, and prominent and leading breast cancer experts including the late Dr. Edith P. Mitchell, Dr. Lisa A. Newman and Dr. Vivian Bea among others.
In her memoir, In the Company of My Sisters, “My Story, My Truth,” Jackson shares her remarkable 31-year breast cancer journey and inspires women to find strength in their battles to continue to live their best lives despite being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Sisters Network® Inc. rebranded the former African American Breast Cancer Conference to the National Black Breast Cancer Summit.
In celebration of its historic 30 years as the pioneer and leading national organization dedicated to the black breast cancer crisis movement, Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) hosted several events and programs with the goal of educating, empowering, and celebrating three decades of sisterhood and survivorship support the organization has provided for Black women in the United States.
The theme of the 30th anniversary was “30 years of Loving Our Sisters.”
A national billboard on Nasdaq in Times Square honored the work of Sisters Network® Inc. to kick-off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recognized Karen E. Jackson as the National Patient Advocate during their national conference in Chicago, IL. The award is voted on by medical oncologists around the world. It is an outstanding, coveted honor and recognition of Karen E. Jackson’s tireless work in the Black breast cancer space and the impact of vision that started 30 years ago. Jackson also made history as the first Black women to receive the esteemed honor.
Launching in October 2025, SIS: SISTERS IN SURVIVORSHIP national podcast will provide a platform amplify Sisters Network Inc. voice and educational outreach to Black women about breast health.
Season one will consists of 12 episodes including candid conversations with renowned breast cancer experts, survivors, researchers and celebrities who have been impacted by breast cancer.
For media inquiries or general assistance, please email infonet@sistersnetworkinc.org.
Contact UsPlease feel free to download our general brochures to learn and share information about Sisters Network® Inc. You can also find an SNI affiliate chapter in your city, discover our Key National Programs, learn more about early detection, breast cancer facts and figures for Black women, and find out what questions to ask your doctor, and much more.
