The Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria was alive with energy this past weekend as hundreds of survivors, advocates, medical professionals, and supporters came together for the 2025 Sisters Network® Inc. National Black Breast Cancer Summit. The multi-day event brought together Black women affected by breast cancer for education, empowerment, and connection.
Dr. Caroline Chung, VP and Chief Data Analytics Officer, MD Anderson Cancer Center, with Caleen Allen, Executive Vice President, Sisters Network, Inc.
The weekend began Friday evening with a Welcome Reception sponsored by Lilly. Sisters Network affiliate members from across the country reunited with hugs, laughter, and shared stories. Founder Karen Eubanks Jackson, a 31-year breast cancer survivor, welcomed everyone with heartfelt gratitude and purpose.
“Over the next couple of days, we’ll learn, we’ll share, and we’ll lift each other up as we celebrate the blessing of being together,” Jackson said. “Sisters Network Inc. is what it is because of women like you—those who roll up their sleeves, provide support in their communities, answer late-night calls, and show up in love. You are the heartbeat of this movement.”
Sisters Network, Inc. Founder and CEO Karen Eubanks Jackson pictured with survivor and community advocate Cheryl Solomon, along with luncheon attendees.
Jackson also recognized the board members, affiliate chapter leaders, volunteers, and national partners who continue to advance the organization’s mission. The evening ended with line dancing led by Jazzy Vee and a champagne toast honoring survivorship and unity.
Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder and CEO of Sisters Network, Inc.; Kandi Eastman, Majic 102.1 radio personality; and Caleen Allen, Executive Vice President of Sisters Network, Inc., pictured with a luncheon attendee.
Saturday’s Pretty in Pink Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, presented by Gilead Oncology, offered moments of reflection, recognition, and inspiration. Gospel Award-winning artist Evvie McKinney delivered a soul-stirring performance, and several honorees were celebrated for their contributions. The Triangle North Carolina Affiliate Chapter received the Chapter of the Year Award, and Majic 102.1 radio personality Kandi Eastman was named Community Advocate Champion for her dedication to raising breast cancer awareness across Houston.
Gospel Award-winning artist Evvie McKinney
Educational sessions throughout the Summit explored topics at the intersection of innovation and equity in breast cancer care. Dr. Caroline Chung led a discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in breast cancer treatment, while Dr. Lisa A. Newman highlighted the disproportionate rates of triple-negative breast cancer among Black women—a particularly aggressive form of the disease that lacks the three most common receptors targeted by standard therapies, making it harder to treat. Attendees also visited exhibits from organizations including Pfizer, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Black Girl Vitamins, connecting directly with experts and resources.
Reflecting on the Summit, Jackson said, “When I founded Sisters Network, it was out of necessity and faith. Necessity because the data and experiences of Black women were being overlooked, and faith because I knew our community could lead the change. Since then, we’ve built a movement that centers survivors, educates the public, advocates for equity, and connects women to the care they deserve.”
Jackson emphasized that the luncheon and awards were also a call to action. “Today’s event is a recognition of strength, sisterhood, and service,” she said. “It is also an opportunity to confront the reality that Black women continue to face later diagnoses and barriers to care. But we are not powerless. We are informed, organized, and relentless.”
As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Summit is part of a larger national conversation. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international campaign held every October to promote screening, educate about risk factors, and reduce the risk of breast cancer, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide each year. The month features programs to support people diagnosed with breast cancer, including those with metastatic disease—encourage regular screenings, and raise money for research.
Special observances during the month highlight the diverse experiences within the breast cancer community. October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, focusing on the challenges faced by people living with cancer that has spread beyond the breast. An estimated 168,000 women in the U.S. are living with metastatic breast cancer, and that number may grow to over 246,000 by 2030. The day seeks to educate the public about the need for more research and treatments for this stage of the disease. As one member of the Breastcancer.org Community shared, “Being stage IV during Breast Cancer Awareness Month sucks. All the messaging about ‘if you catch it early, you’ll be fine,’ is simply not always true.”
Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week, observed October 17–23, brings attention to the fact that breast cancer also affects men, trans men, and non-binary people. About 2,800 men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed in 2025. Awareness and education are critical to overcoming stigma and improving early detection for all affected.
There are many ways to engage during Breast Cancer Awareness Month: schedule your annual mammogram, encourage loved ones to get screened, learn more about risk factors, check in with people living with the disease, or support organizations that provide research and care.
The 2025 National Black Breast Cancer Summit and Breast Cancer Awareness Month serve as reminders that survivorship, advocacy, and empowerment are intertwined. Sisters Network® Inc. continues to save lives through education, connection, and support for Black women and their families, creating a network where no one faces breast cancer alone.
Source: Chelsea Lenora Small, Associate Publisher. “Sisters Network® Inc. Unites Houston for Breast Cancer Awareness,” Forward Times, Oct 8, 2025, https://www.forwardtimes.com/
