By Carla Thomas

On Aug. 23, the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) Office of Community Outreach and Engagement hosted the Breast Cancer and African Americans (BCAA) Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Newark, California.

The event, themed “Helping Communities Better Help Themselves,” provided culturally tailored education, aiming to promote healthier lifestyles, and encourage lasting improvements in community well-being.

The gathering addressed the reality that breast cancer disproportionately impacts Black women in the United States, who are often diagnosed younger, at later stages, and with more aggressive forms of the disease. Focusing on culturally relevant, high-quality, and timely cancer information, organizers say, the SCI BCAA Conference bridged critical awareness gaps, resources, and support for African American communities across the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding counties.

The event welcomed African American women age 18 and older that were newly diagnosed, in treatment, survivors, or simply seeking knowledge and connection. Family members, caregivers, community advocates, faith-based leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, and clinicians also participated.

Highlights of the day included presentations by distinguished local and national experts on breast cancer, women’s health, and wellness. The panel of speakers included Brenda Knight, founder of the Ladies In Red; Dr. Ryland Gore, owner of the Dream Breast Care Center; Dr. Cheryl Ewing of the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center, and Breast Cancer Champions Lynda Haliburton, and Chandra Collins. Former WNBA player and breast cancer survivor, Edna Campbell, owner of Breathe and Stretch and Geneva Clay, founder of Fit-4 Living Health & Wellness Services was also a speaker at the event.

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Brenda Knight, founder of the “Ladies in Red” social network, said she entered the stage with the music of James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing” and Lessss’ “Dance Until You Feel Better.”

“One lady thanked me for getting her up and moving around,” said Knight, realizing that a diagnosis or disease can leave people without energy and sedentary.

Knight, as a motivational speaker, leans on her life experience as a mother, wife, community advocate, and professional leader to encourage people. Historically, Knight has a track record of supporting the BCAA conference for over 10 years and has volunteered with hundreds of cancer patients through programs at local hospitals and Relay for Life – American Canyon.

Knight is not a cancer survivor, but cancer became a personal fight when the disease struck her close friend, Janie Flowers. “I moved Janie into my home to help her and to fight the challenges of cancer,” said Knight of her deceased friend. Knight, who is currently a caregiver for her mother, said she volunteered with cardiology patients at Kaiser Hospital as she took care of her husband who battled congestive heart failure.

“We can overcome and endure anything as long as we have support,” said Knight. “That’s why the BCCA conference is so important. People need to know they are not alone and there are resources and people who care about their wellbeing.”

Event supporters and partners included Global Alliance for Change, Bay Area Black Nurses Association, Inc., Ladies in Red, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – San Francisco Chapter, Dream Breast Care Center, Allen Temple Baptist Church – Health Education Ministry, Saint Mark AME Zion Church, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. – Sigma Omicron Chapter California State University East Bay (CSUEB).

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