Prominent leaders of the Black community connected to improve cancer disparities.
On Aug. 16, ACS hosted 200 guests, including prominent Black leaders and philanthropists, for a cocktail reception on Martha’s Vineyard. The aim of Partnering For Life on the Vineyard was to spread awareness about cancer risk, prevention, and early detection in the Black community, making the event a strategic opportunity for augmented impact and furthering our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Last week’s event was a collective effort spearheaded by our DEI team in partnership with the National Medical Association and sponsors Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Urban MD. The success of the event illustrates the shared commitment of ACS, our sponsors, partnering organizations, cancer survivors, and volunteers to achieve health equity for all. Prominent leaders in the Black community in attendance included: CEO of the National Urban League, President of Advocate Aurora Health, Presidents of Divine Nine Organizations, President of City of Hope, COO of Bank of America Foundation, Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams, and the US FDA EEO Officer.
Partnering For Life presenters included ACS Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Tawana Thomas Johnson, president of the National Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Garfield Clunie, president/CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, Shavon Arline Bradley, NBA Players Assoc Executive Director, Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Congressman Troy A. Carter, and ACS CAN Vice Chair Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard and ACS Board member Connie Lindsey. Additional ACS Board members in attendance included Dr. Oyebode Taiwo and Dave Ford.
When asked about the event, Tawana Thomas Johnson said, “What started as an idea for a small group of our partners to come together in support of our mission quickly blossomed into an opportunity to raise significant awareness with impactful stakeholders. This is a testament to the longstanding commitment we have cultivated and maintained over the years with our diverse and multicultural partners who we are privileged to work with.”
Partnering For Life (PFL) is an initiative that works to spread awareness about cancer risk, prevention, and early detection in the Black community. Partnering For Life on the Vineyard celebrated the strength of the community's collective efforts in tackling cancer disparities and showcased the positive outcomes that can arise when diverse stakeholders come together with a shared goal. The need for equitable access to quality healthcare and cancer services was addressed, and distinguished guests left with a deeper understanding of how ACS is working to bridge this gap through its programs and initiatives, as well as energized to support our mission. We look forward to hosting Partnering For Life on the Vineyard again in 2024.
To learn more about the Partnering For Life initiative, visit cancer.org/partneringforlife or reach out to inclusion@cancer.org.
