In a powerful stride toward health equity, Carrie’s TOUCH, led by Rev. Dr. Tammie Denyse, and Dr. Annette L. Stanton, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UCLA, are advancing the next phase of Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities)—a revolutionary research initiative dedicated to reshaping the narrative of breast cancer among Black women.

Launched seven years ago, Project SOAR emerged from a pressing truth: Black women in the U.S. face a 41% higher mortality rate from breast cancer than white women, despite comparable incidence rates. This staggering disparity is not solely medical—it is cultural, emotional, and systemic. Project SOAR aims to confront and deconstruct these layers by placing Black women's lived experiences at the center of the conversation.

At the heart of the project are culturally curated focus groups called “Gatherings.” These sessions provide a safe, affirming space for Black women to unpack the effects of the “Strong Black Woman” schema—a deeply ingrained social expectation that often compels them to suppress vulnerability, prioritize caregiving over self-care, and project resilience even while navigating life-threatening illness.

“We are here to understand the phenomenon of Black women's experiences with breast cancer, and to change lives,” says Rev. Dr. Denyse. “By addressing systemic inequities in healthcare and providing culturally competent support, we aim to ensure that Black women not only survive breast cancer—but thrive beyond it.”

Through two foundational research phases, Dr. Stanton and her team at UCLA have captured the emotional and psychological landscape of Black breast cancer survivors. This work led to the development of Project SOAR Awakenings, a targeted intervention designed to enhance well-being, self-advocacy, and healing among survivors.

“Our collaboration with Carrie’s TOUCH has allowed us to move from research into real-world impact,” adds Dr. Stanton. “Project SOAR Awakenings is not just an intervention—it’s a movement toward holistic, ethnocentric, and sustainable healthcare support for Black women.”

Supported by the California Breast Cancer Research Program and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Project SOAR continues to inform the creation of culturally responsive clinical pathways—ensuring that oncologic care for Black women is not only effective but deeply empathetic and attuned to their realities.

Get Involved

Survivors and Black women currently navigating a breast cancer diagnosis are encouraged to share their voices by contacting the Project SOAR team at projectsoar2018@gmail.com or 916-931-8853.

To learn more about Project SOAR and the vital work of Carrie’s TOUCH, visit www.carriestouch.org.