Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder & CEO of Sisters Network, Inc.
Karen Eubanks Jackson is at the helm of the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization that addresses the needs particular to African American women. Jackson is a sixteen year breast cancer survivor, who turned a personal challenge into an organization that provides standardized educational programs, support, empowerment, hope and financial assistance. During her personal fight to survive breast cancer, she recognized a lack of “sisterhood” in traditional organizations, a staggering breast cancer mortality rate for African American women and limited culturally sensitive material. In 1994, Jackson founded Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) in order to ensure that African American women diagnosed with breast cancer receive comprehensive medical care and social support.
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. Due to Jackson’s leadership, Sisters Network has experienced phenomenal growth resulting in over 43 survivor-run affiliate chapters, serving more than 3000 members and associate members nationwide. Sisters Network Inc. is the leading voice in the African American women’s fight against breast cancer. In addition, Jackson developed several national outreach initiatives, including: The Gift for Life Block Walk® the Pink Ribbon Awareness Initiative.
Responding to the need to bring those affected by breast cancer together, SNI hosts the only annual national African American Breast Cancer Conference. Since 1999, the conference has attracted thousands of African American breast cancer survivors, their families, caretakers, and the general public. The conference general sessions are conducted by nationally recognized medical experts. Recognizing the African American community’s historical difficulty discussing cancer and other health concerns, Jackson created a national branding campaign: STOP THE SILENCE ® was used on billboards and bumper stickers. The slogan: “STOP THE SILENCE®- Changing the Face of Early Breast Health Intervention”, also provided educational outreach and awareness to African American women between the ages of 25 and 45. The program was funded by the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health.
Jackson is a widely recognized minority breast health advocate a highly sought after speaker and expert on the African American women’s breast cancer experience, Jackson has traveled nationally and internationally, bringing her message 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 U.S. News & World Report, the Health Network, HBO special: Cancer: Evolution to Revolution, Essence, MAMM, Jet, and Web MD Health.
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.; A National African American Breast Cancer Survivor Advocacy Organization with Lisa A. Newman, M.D., F.A.C.S. Sisters Network: A National African American Breast Cancer Survivor Advocacy Organization, Journal of Oncology-Vol.5, issue 6, November 2009. She is in several books "Breast Cancer Black Women," "My Mother’s Breast and Celebrating Life." Jackson’s achievements have been recognized by the State of Texas House of Representatives and corporate America, bestowing honors that include: TNT Dramatic Difference Award; Breast Cancer Hero by Lifetime TV, JC Penney “Champion of Change” The Jefferson Award-ABC and the Lance Armstrong “Voice of Survivorship” award.
Jackson serves on numerous local and national committees, including the Center for Research on Minority Health (CRMH), Cancer Support Community, Cancer Alliance of Texas and a member of the American Society of Breast Disease. Formerly, Jackson served on committees, such as the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Board of Directors, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s African American National Advisory Committee and the American Cancer Society (ACS). She has earned certifications in the area of Breast Health Education from several organizations.
Jackson attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she pursued a bachelor's degree in sociology. She is surrounded by love from her husband of over twenty-two years, Kyle Scott Jackson, daughter, Caleen and granddaughters, Brianna and Alexis. Leading by example, Karen Eubanks Jackson continues to make a difference and lives by the Sisters Network®Inc national creed: "In Unity there is Strength, In Strength there is Power, In Power there is Change."
