Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder/CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) is recognized nationally as a true visionary and leader in the African American breast cancer movement and a 21-year breast cancer survivor. Sisters Network is the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization. Jackson continues to lead Sisters Network’s nationwide effort to focus the spotlight on increasing breast cancer awareness in the African American community. The organization provides standardized national educational outreach programs; survivor and family support; empowerment; hope and financial assistance to thousands of women annually through its national network of more than 43 survivor-run affiliate chapters located in 22 states.
In 1994, Jackson founded Sisters Network Inc., during her personal fight to survive breast cancer. Jackson recognized a lack of “sisterhood” in traditional organizations, and there was a staggering breast cancer mortality rate for African American women and limited culturally sensitive material. Often referred to as a breast cancer champion, Jackson’s primary motivation was to break through the silence and shame of breast cancer that immobilizes African American women, restricts their ability to receive support services, interferes with early detection and ultimately affects their survival rates.
Under her leadership and vision, the organization has developed numerous national breast health outreach initiatives including, but not limited to, hosting the only National African American Breast Cancer Conference, Stop the Silence National African American Breast Cancer 5k Walk/Run, Teens4Pink, Gift for Life Block Walk, Pink Ribbon Awareness and the First Ladies Brunch. Since the organization’s inception 20 years ago, Sisters Network has provided over $1 million in conference scholarships to help train African American breast cancer survivors to be advocate leaders in their communities though it’s national African American Breast Cancer conference.
Understanding the historical difficulty in the African American community to discuss cancer and other health concerns, Jackson created a national slogan and branding campaign: STOP THE SILENCE to encourage African Americans to discuss their family health and history.
A recognized and highly sought breast cancer expert, Jackson is frequently invited to speak on the international and national stage and share her perspective on the state of breast cancer in the African American community. She has been a featured speaker to the U.S. Army’s Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center in Germany, the National Congressional Black Caucus and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as other organizations. Jackson has been featured in numerous national newspapers, magazines, television, radio programs and Internet media outlets, inclusive of the Huffington Report, Essence, New York Times, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Ebony, Web MD, Jet, Black Enterprise, Breast Cancer Wellness, Tom Joyner Morning Show and numerous local media outlets. Jackson is a published co-author of several works, including “Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly,” Vol.14 No.22003; Breast Cancer in African American Women: The Evolution of Sisters Network, Inc.; and A National African American Breast Cancer Survivor Advocate Organization with Lisa A. Newman, M.D., F.A.C.S. She is in several books, including “Breast Cancer Black Women,” and “My Mother’s Breast and Celebrating Life.” Jackson will release her book “In the Company of My Sisters” this year.
Additionally, Jackson’s breast health advocacy work has garnered numerous awards and recognitions, including but not limited to, JC Penney “Champion of Change,” Ebony Magazine 100 Power List-2011, TNT Dramatic Difference award, Breast Cancer Hero by Lifetime TV, The Jefferson Award-NBC, Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. “Status of Women award,” National Council of Negro Women Inc. 2012 Impact Service award, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center award, ICC-Hope Award, Founders Award for Leadership 2011, BET award, “History Maker in the Making” and the Lance Armstrong, “Voice of Survivorship.”
Jackson attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md. She is surrounded by love from her husband of 28 years, Kyle Scott Jackson, daughter Caleen and two granddaughters, Brianna and Alexis.
A leader, visionary and most importantly, a breast cancer survivor, Karen E. Jackson continues to make a difference every day and is committed to Sisters Network, Inc national creed: “In Unity there is Strength, In Strength there is Power, In Power there is Change.” © 1995 KEJ
Karen Eubanks Jackson
Founder/CEO
Sister’s Network®, Inc.
2922 Rosedale St.
Houston, TX 77004
713.781.0255
www.sistersnetworkinc.org
