According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and second-leading cause of death from cancer among African-American women. Sheri Davis-Faulkner, director of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts’ Westside Communities Alliance, believes there is a connection between these high diagnosis rates and the availability of health services in working-class communities.

“Oftentimes women, particularly working-class women of color, provide care for everyone in their communities except themselves, and practicing self-care is even more difficult when there are barriers to accessing care,” Davis-Faulkner said.

In an effort to promote the importance of breast health and shine a light on newly available health services in Westside communities, WCA hosted approximately forty women, community leaders and Westside residents at the Ferst Center on October 16 for a HEALing Dinner Party in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“It was very affirming to see that Ivan Allen College was able to use a wonderful, dramatic performance as a springboard for the interrogation of such critical health issues,” said Dean Jacqueline J. Royster. “This event gave our Westside neighbors in particular, a special occasion, not only to enjoy a great performance together, but to think more strategically about their health care planning and choices going forward.”

Sponsored by Georgia Power, the event featured presentations by Cati Stone, executive director of Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta, and Karen Williams, CEO of the HEALing Community Center. They discussed the need for African-American women to get potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings, as well as the free and affordable health care services the HEALing Community Center provides in Westside communities. During the event, guests were given an opportunity to sign up for appointments at the HEALing Community Center.

In addition to the dinner, attendees were treated to a performance of Arts@Tech’s Sister Outsider, a spoken-word work by duo Dominique Christina and Denise Frohman that explores issues at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality.

“The breast cancer awareness event was a source of inspiration and conversation,” said Tracy Bates, president of the Historic Westside Cultural Arts Council.”