ABOUT US
We are a community-led initiative committed to saving the lives of Black women by addressing the stark disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black women, our organization serves as both a beacon of hope and a call to action. We aim to bridge the gaps in awareness, access, and care, ensuring that every Black woman has the resources, support, and knowledge to fight breast cancer.
OUR MISSION & VISION.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to save Black women's lives from breast cancer through innovative, community-driven solutions. We believe that by empowering our communities, we can dismantle the barriers that lead to higher mortality rates and poorer outcomes for Black women.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Black women have equal access to life-saving breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. A future where disparities no longer define health outcomes, and where every Black woman feels supported, informed, and cared for in her breast health journey.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
Community Empowerment
We place the voices of Black women at the forefront of our efforts, ensuring that their experiences shape our strategies and initiatives.
Equity and Inclusion
We are committed to creating processes that are equitable, inclusive, and transparent, drawing on diverse perspectives and fostering radical collaboration.
Co-Design Innovation
Our co-design process engages Black community leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates in developing replicable prototypes that address breast cancer disparities.
Community Engagement
We build trusting relationships and leverage community passion to fuel long-term success and impact.
OUR STORY
The Breast Cancer GAPS Project was launched in 2021 out of a deep-seated need to address the alarming disparities faced by Black women in breast cancer care. We recognized that despite various efforts, work had often been done in silos, with healthcare systems, businesses, public health agencies, and nonprofits tackling the issue individually. We sought to transform this fragmented approach by uniting these groups under a common agenda, driven by the lived experiences of Black women.
Using an innovative co-design process focused on personal stories and community creativity, GAPS produced multiple awareness and education videos for the community groups, clinics and larger health systems. The design prototypes are about learning and action to fill the breast cancer gaps for Black women.
GAPS went on to recruit a leadership team that reached out and partnered with community and health sites.
OUR PARTNERS
Our work is supported by key partners, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, whose strategic commitment to addressing racial and health inequities has been instrumental in our progress.
JOIN THE FIGHT: OUR KEY INITIATIVES
GAPS work with healthcare.
We partner with primary care clinics and federally qualified health centers and the community to increase mammography rates for Black women.
Clinics use GAP videos and posters in patient rooming, in EHR messages, on lobby tvs, across social media, and on community television. Mammography screening parties have also been successful for clinic outreach. Data has shown positive increases in patient awareness and screening rates.