Melanin & Pink Ribbons

October 1^st marks the 1-year anniversary of this blog! I am so thankful to be able to not only share my story but share information with my community. I repeat every month that early detection saves lives. I provide monthly reminders to schedule a mammogram and remind an important in your life to do the same. Twice a month posts on various topics have been the bulk of the posts and your support has been pivotal to the success of this blog.

While the bulk of my readers are from the United States others hail from China, Canada, Pakistan, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Philippines, Australia, Bulgaria, Germany, Nigeria, France, and Poland! In total, more than 1,000 individuals have visited the blog. These numbers are astounding to me and verify the need for this blog on the social media landscape. It’s always important for all women to receive information that is inclusive of them and what they look like.

I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to thank those who have helped me tremendously along the way. Stephanie Dixon thank you for your editing help. Adrienne Martian thank you for always having my back and gently correcting me. My first interview was with Dr. Michelle Bean, and I thank her for her honest and gracious sharing about her breast cancer journey. I thank Yolanda Miller who shared information on mindfulness that to date has been my most popular post. What would I do without Cherie Washington and Martine Menelas Deroches who share my blog every month without me having to ask. They do it on automatic and I am grateful. I thank Denise James who was the first person to whom I whispered I have this dream to share my story on another level in a blog for Black women. She loudly said do it and stayed on me to follow through. I thank Tara Cooper who patiently explained the concept and process of a blog. All my blog brandings are expertly done by @h_kesigns. She is a super talented lady who is responsible for taking my ideas and making them come to life. I highly recommend her.  A heartfelt thanks to Ashley James for explaining the link between a blog and an Instagram page to me when I had no clue. Most of all I thank Team Smalls, Daryl, and Carolyn. My husband supports this dream of mine to share my breast cancer story and is my sounding board and unmeasurable support. I couldn’t do this without him. My daughter Carolyn who quietly but strongly supports me encourages me to keep going and look down the road.

So here is to another year of increasing awarenes and putting Black women on the social media landscape because representation matters.