Tuskegee University First Lady Gwendolyn Jackson Brown joined university leaders and community members on March 24 for a luncheon and workshop focused on breast cancer awareness, support, and prevention. The event was organized by the Center for Biomedical Research staff to continue the conversation around cancer prevention.
The workshop highlighted the importance of addressing breast cancer in all communities, emphasizing that the disease can affect anyone. “We will fight the good fight to ensure that conversation sparks action,” said First Lady Brown as she welcomed attendees. She noted that many families have been touched by breast cancer, including her own. “Our Renaissance Era focus on cancer research will make more of them ‘the fortunate ones.’ The research being done at Tuskegee University – using tissue samples from our own community – is a true reflection of our head, hand and heart founding principles.”
Dr. Vivian Carter, Community Engagement Co-Lead for the Center for Biomedical Research and Department Head of Psychology and Sociology, discussed Tuskegee’s longstanding role in healthcare access for Black people in rural areas. “This is an issue of access – not an issue of education,” Carter said. “We pay attention to what others miss.” Last fall, Tuskegee broke ground on a $14 million annex to house the Center for Genomics and Health Disparity Research under Dr. Deepa Bedi’s leadership.
Dr. Bedi spoke about her personal connection to breast cancer through family losses and urged open discussion about symptoms without shame or stigma: “Most mornings I start my day staring into a microscope at tissue impacted by this horrible disease… I am here today to ask, ‘why is this disease not discussed more in our homes and with no shame attached?'” She shared information about how breast cancer progresses and stressed dismantling barriers to care.
Vice President Dr. Timothy Turner reflected on the unity within Tuskegee’s mission: “We are here today because Tuskegee University belongs to all of us… conversations like the one we are having today are another example.” Community member James Jackson also shared his perspective on growing up connected with campus programs.
The event concluded with Laquita K. Allen’s testimonial as a ten-year survivor who credited self-advocacy—and support from colleagues like Dr. Bedi—for guiding her through treatment decisions: “Educating myself, asking questions, made me an advocate for myself.” Allen encouraged others facing fear during their journeys: “Fear and faith both existed… But the fear built my faith. You must embrace the challenges to embrace the journey.”
