National History

Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder & CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), is at the helm of the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization that addresses the unique needs of African American women.

Sisters Network Inc. Founder and CEO Karen Jackson (center) greets Greensboro members Jeannette McCall (left) and Rokisha Rover-Simrel (right) in Durham, N.C.

Sisters Network Inc. Founder and CEO Karen Jackson (center) greets Greensboro members Jeannette McCall (left) and Rokisha Rover-Simrel (right) in Durham, N.C.

Jackson is a 19-year breast cancer survivor, who turned a personal challenge into an organization that provides standardized educational programs, support, empowerment and hope. 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 and limited culturally sensitive material.

In 1994, Jackson founded Sisters Network® Inc. 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 42 survivor-run affiliate chapters, serving more than 3000 members and associate members nationwide. Sisters Network Inc. has become 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® and the Pink Ribbon Awareness Initiative.