Karen E. Jackson
Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder/CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) is a 4-time breast cancer survivor, recognized nationally as a visionary and leader in the African American breast cancer movement. 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 & family support; empowerment; hope and financial assistance to thousands of women annually through its national network of over 25 survivor-run affiliate chapters located in 22 states.
Karen E. Jackson
In 1994, Jackson founded Sisters Network Inc., during her personal fight to survive breast cancer Jackson recognized a lack of “sisterhood” in traditional organizations, 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 5k Walk/Run ”Stop the Silence,”
National African American Breast Cancer Conference, Teens4Pink, the Gift for Life Block Walk®, Pink Ribbon Awareness and the First Ladies Brunch. Since the organizations’ inception 20 years ago, Sisters Network has provided over $1million 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.
Jackson’s breast health advocacy work has garnered numerous awards and recognitions, including but not limited to 2018 BETHer Fights Breast Cancer Honoree, Ebony Magazine 100 Power List, JC Penney“ Champion of Change,”, 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.”