Karen Eubanks Jackson is recognized as pioneer and a leader in the national Black breast cancer movement since 1994. As the Founder and CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), Karen is a remarkable 31-year, four-time breast cancer survivor, a national patient advocate, sought-after speaker and an accomplished author of her memoir, In the Company of My Sisters, “My Story, My Truth,” sharing her remarkable breast cancer journey and inspiring others to find strength in their battles to continue to live their best lives.
A true visionary, Karen was driven by her own personal challenge and triumphs over breast cancer to help save the lives of other black women nationwide.
In 1994, Karen founded Sisters Network Inc. after experiencing and recognizing the absence of a supportive “sisterhood” in traditional organizations, coupled with a devastating and alarming mortality rate for Black women, she set out to confront the silence, shame and stigma too often associated with breast cancer in the black community. Karen’s objective was to educate and empower Black women, encourage early detection, and ultimately increase survival rates of black women who continue to die at alarming rates as compared to white women.
Thirty years later under Jackson’s leadership, Sisters Network Inc. is the oldest and largest national Black breast cancer survivorship organization with over 25+ survivor-run affiliate chapters in the United States.
Acknowledging the historical reluctance within the Black community to discuss health concerns, Karen launched the Sisters Network Inc. national slogan and campaign, STOP THE SILENCE ® campaign, encouraging critical conversations about family health and history.
Under Jackson’s direction, Sisters Network Inc. continues to provide innovative and engaging breast health outreach programming nationally and locally through its affiliate chapters, including the National Black Breast Cancer Summit, Pink Power Tour, The National Black Breast Cancer Crisis Townhall, A Call To Action, Stop the Silence National African American 5K Walk/Run, Take Care of You Sis, Brunch and Learn Breast Health Series, Color of Trials and SIS: Sisters in Survivorship Podcast. Recognizing that real change happens through policy, the organization is launching Sisters Network Inc. Center for Public Policy to spearhead the organizations state policy agenda, provide advocacy training to its extensive network of survivors through the affiliate chapters.
The organization provides vital local community outreach programs through its chapters, such as the Gift for Life Block Walk®, Pink Ribbon Faith Based Awareness program, and the First Ladies Brunch.
Karen’s expertise in breast cancer has led to invitations as a speaker on numerous national and international platforms. She was invited to the White House by President Joe Biden for the relaunch of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
Karen’s steadfast advocacy for breast health awareness has garnered her numerous prestigious awards and recognitions. Most recently, she was the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Patient Advocate Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Additionally, she was honored at the inaugural BETHer Fights Breast Cancer TV Award, named to Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 List, and recognized as a “Champion of Change” by JC Penney, received the “Breast Cancer Hero” award from Lifetime TV, TNT “Dramatic Difference” award and the esteemed Lance Armstrong “Voice of Survivorship” award and many more.
Her journey has been chronicled in various media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, LA Times, USA Today, the New York Times, Black Enterprise, Ebony and Essence and numerous radio and television shows. She is a published co-author and has left her mark in books such as Breast Cancer Black Women and My Mother’s Breast, Celebrating Life.
An honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and a member of the Houston TX. Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Karen E. Jackson’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of Black women is evident every day.
She epitomizes the spirit of Sisters Network® Inc’s National Creed:
“In Unity there is Strength,
In Strength there is Power,
In Power there is Change.”
Karen attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She is surrounded by the love of her husband of 38 years, Kyle Scott Jackson, her daughter and two granddaughters.
