Melanin & Pink Ribbons

Today, October 1^st, 2024, I celebrate 3 years of my blog Melanin & Pink Ribbons. To see it grow from a thought to a living breathing vehicle of advocacy, empowerment around breast health, and a depository of positive images of Black women fighting and surviving is still humbling to me. In the 3 years I have:

• Written over 200 blog posts
• Created numerous graphics featuring Black women
• Been featured by Susan G. Komen, Let’s Talk Blog, Black Girl Health & Black Selfcare Talk
• Received award from Sophia’s Choice
• Led workshops on breast cancer and related issues for several organizations
• Authored a book named Push the Button A Seven-Step Approach to Life’s Changes
• Increased the views of my blog each year
• On track to reach a total of 5,000 views since its inception by December 31^st of this year
• Enjoyed readers from USA, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Nigeria, Kenya, Australia, Pakistan, Netherlands, Poland, France, Puerto Rico, China, India, Bangladesh, South Africa, Columbia, Malaysia, Philippines and Bulgaria
• Awarded a Make a Difference grant to further my work
• Conceptualized, wrote, and supervised the production of 2 original videos on how Black women and Black men each perform Beast Self Exams

I am extremely proud of myself for growing and learning as I go along and eager to continue this work until it’s no longer necessary. I remain unapologetic that my audience is Black women and men. I am unapologetic in the pursuit of spreading my story and that early detection saves lives.

I did not ask for this assignment, but I am thankful God called my name and has given and continues to make it possible for all I do in this arena. I leave you with this scripture “Eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.