Black in Cancer’s Post

Like many other attendees I find myself at loss for words in describing the experience I had this past week at the Black in Cancer conference in partnership with the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, the first in the U.S. The theme was “Lifting as We Climb” an homage to Mary Church Terrell, a major figure in the early civil rights movement. A fitting theme to reflect on as we are in the midst of growing anti-DEI initiatives. Among so many inspirations, I was reminded about the importance of creating opportunities and spaces to uplift others as I moderated the session on ‘Mentorship in Motion’. Dr. Lucile Adams-Campbell, Dr. Carla Williams, and Dr. Madison Moore, who represent three generations of successful mentoring, delve into their experience of mentorship and offered words of wisdom in navigating it both as mentees and mentors. The #BICConf24 had such an impressive line up with speakers like Dr. John Carpten, Dr. Melissa Boneta Davis, Dr. Rob Winn, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Dr. Kimryn Rathmell and so many others too long to list. More importantly, a special shout out to the fearless leader of Black in Cancer Dr. Sigourney Bonner and the rest of the Black in Cancer Board who have become more like family Henry J. Henderson III, Ph.D. Elshaddai White, PhD Julia Morris, PhD Briana White Tumie Ntereke Jordan Bonner. I’d be remissed not to thank Crystal Canja and her team for their tireless effort in helping make this a reality and to our sponsors for their generous funds and all 300+ attendees who embodied the concept of community.