1: How 4-Time Cancer Survivor Karen E. Jackson Pioneered the Black Breast Cancer Movement

The premiere of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship begins with the story that started it all. Host Caleen Allen sits down with her mother, Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder and CEO of Sisters Network, Inc., a four-time breast cancer survivor, and the woman widely known as the pioneer of the Black breast cancer movement. In this intimate mother-daughter conversation, Karen shares her journey from a stage two diagnosis in 1993 to building the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization. She reflects on what it meant to survive breast cancer four times, how she transformed her pain into purpose, and why she fought to create a national sisterhood of support for Black women. This episode is not only a celebration of Karen’s legacy, but also a passing of the torch as Caleen prepares to lead the next chapter of Sisters Network. Together, they talk about early detection, the need for advocacy, and the power of building community so no woman has to fight alone. If you are a survivor, caregiver, or advocate, this episode will inspire you to take action and remind you that every sister deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. “They gave me a diagnosis. I gave them a movement.” – Karen Jackson KEY POINTS:  00:00 – Introduction 02:21 – Karen’s first diagnosis in 1993 03:01 – On facing fear and believing she only had “five years to live” 05:04 – Sisters Network and its journey in creating sisterhood and hope 07:48 – Why self-advocacy is critical for Black women fighting breast cancer 11:22 – Be screened early: why age 40 is too late for women 12:30 – On choosing joy and resilience moving forward 17:14 – Colleen on stepping into her mother’s legacy 21:07 – Celebrating 30 years of Sisters Network at NASDAQ billboard in NY Times Square QUOTES: “The first time I was diagnosed, I was afraid. Now I’m unstoppable.” –  Karen Jackson “I want to do my part as the CEO of Sisters Network to make sure that the movement includes that age group, because that's our future; they need to be not just they, but women their age, need to be better prepared, so that that early detection will definitely be something that will save their lives.” – Karen Jackson “It absolutely gave me my purpose. I’m grateful to have taken the time to develop an organization that has done great works in the community.” – Karen Jackson “Life is precious… and for us to move forward, you have to know that there’s a better life if you choose it.”  RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @sistersnetworkinc.8895/featured